Pizza

Pizza originated in Naples, Italy, where the classic Margherita — tomato, mozzarella, basil — was allegedly created in 1889 for Queen Margherita of Savoy. But flatbreads topped with various ingredients have been eaten in the Mediterranean for millennia. Italian immigrants brought pizza to America in the late 19th century; New York and Chicago developed their own distinctive styles. Today, approximately 5 billion pizzas are sold worldwide each year. The US alone has 70,000 pizzerias. Pizza represents over $46 billion in annual US sales. The simple chemistry of melted cheese, tomato sauce, and carbohydrates triggers dopamine release — making pizza scientifically addictive.