Today, January 17th, World Pizza Day is celebrated. But why this date? The choice is not at all random: the Catholic Church celebrates on this day Saint Anthony the Abbot, protector not only of animals, but also of bakers and pizza makers. A perfect opportunity to pay homage to one of the most beloved Italian culinary symbols in the world, so much so that it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in December 2017, when the art of Neapolitan pizza chefs was recognized.
Round or shovel-shaped, classic or gourmet, to be enjoyed in the restaurant or on the sofa at home: pizza is much more than a simple dish, it is a symbol of conviviality, sharing and tradition that unites different generations and cultures.
A research conducted by Eataly last year ago it tried to explore the complex topic of pizza consumption in Italy which took into account, in the survey, some parameters: type of favorite pizza, choice behaviour, attention to the supply chain of ingredients, the frequency with which pizza is consumed.
It emerged that, unlike in the past – when pizza was “demonized” as a food not suitable for those who want to stay fit, now this food has become a real comfort food and it is consumed very often: once a week by 86% of Italians and twice a week by 40%. The main consumers are young people (aged between 18 and 24) who consume it sometimes even three times a week. Certainly, the restrictions due to the pandemic and the impossibility of leaving the house and meeting in clubs and restaurants have also led to an increase in the consumption of pizza.
As regards the ingredient supply chain, more and more consumers are attentive to the origin and quality of the raw materials used: 84% of Italians are willing to pay more for a pizza prepared with high quality ingredients, 77% for Italian and short supply chain ingredients, 66% for the dough to rise for longer than normal (which makes the pizza more digestible), 56% for the use of sustainable ingredients or flours from ancient grains.
The favorite pizza is always the round one (chosen by 76% of Italians). What changes and surprises compared to the past is the desire to experiment and taste new flavours: in fact, if once this food was linked to habitual consumption, today around 45% of Italians say they are inclined to try new flavors and ingredients by being inspired by the menu or by the pizza chef’s advice, especially when the pizza is consumed at the restaurant table. In short, based on the evening and the company, a large part of consumers choose their pizza at the moment, while only a few (11%) always opt for the “usual pizza”.
Dear pizza: the price map in Italy
As regards the cost of pizza in Italy, this has increased by 18.3% in six years, with an average expense of 12.14 euros per person (including pizza, drink, cover charge and service).
The most expensive cities:
- Reggio Emilia – 17.58 euros
- Siena – 17.24 euros
- Macerata – 16.25 euros
The cheapest cities:
- Livorno – 8.75 euros (the cheapest in Italy, not Naples!)
- Reggio Calabria – 9.15 euros
- Pescara – 9.37 euros
- Catanzaro – 9.96 euros
The difference between the most expensive pizza and the cheapest one exceeds 8 euros, highlighting a clear geographical divide: Central-North more expensive, South cheaper.
Causes of the price increases: increase in energy costs, increase in the price of flour and ingredients, difficulty in finding qualified personnel.
Despite rising prices, the margherita remains the most ordered pizza and pizza remains an indispensable social ritual for Italians.
There is no other way to celebrate World Pizza Day if not to enjoy a nice pizza, alone or in company, at home or in a restaurant. And if you don’t want to buy it, here are 10 tips for making soft and tasty dough at home and some recipes for preparing pizzas that will amaze even the most demanding palate.
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