Lon and I are huge pizza fans. We’re always excited about a new pizza place near us but unfortunately, Pizza 33 Pizza 33 was a disappointment. I ran in for quick plain slice today and concluded that it wasn’t worth the $2.25. The thin slice needed more cheese and each component, crust, sauce, and cheese was flavorless. They also committed my biggest peeve; the pizza was barely heated! The guys at the counter also asked my friend Jamie and I several times if it was to stay or to go. We answered “to go” each time and they still forgot to pack her slice to go. That’s really not a big deal but the bottom line is that the pizza is below average.
So, I have a question for you. My wife is a native brazilian, and I spent 2 years in Brazil doing voluntary service. I ABSOLUTELY loved the pizza there. My wife told me this was becuase Pizza had been created by Italian Immigrants who were living in Brazil prior to actually becoming popular in Italy and that therefore the first pizzas were created in Brazil. Is this true?
dallltho, interesting question indeed! There is a large Italian population in Brazil, as well as many other South American countries, particularly Argentina. This migration was part of Italian diaspora. It is very likely that these Italians brought the concept of pizza with them (although like the history of most foods, there is no hard fact to prove it).
Pizza is widely popular in Brazilian cuisine. However, depending on where you lived in Brazil, I suspect you had one of many different styles. According to Wikipedia’s entry (which sounds accurate from what I’ve heard):
“Pizza is also extremely popular. It is usually made in a wood-fire oven with a thin, flexible crust, very little sauce, and a number of interesting toppings. In addition to the ‘traditional’ Italian pizza toppings, items like guava jam and cheese, banana and cinnamon, catupiry and chicken, and chocolate are available. Many Brazilians from the northern states enjoy putting ketchup on pizza, and even mayonnaise and mustard may be added. Although, in the state of São Paulo and the southern states where Italian influence is strong, this practice is considered ‘almost insulting’ or ‘culturally demeaning.’”