Naples' most famous pizza maker is located in a characteristic alley in the heart of the old part of the town. That lovely place has been in business since 1780.
The old pizzeria Brandi is the birthplace of the Margherita pizza. In 1889 the pizzeria owner concocted a patriotic pizza while Queen Margherita of Savoy was visiting Naples. The old pizza maker modeled a new pizza, which he named Margherita, after the colors of the country's new flag: white cheese, red tomato sauce and green basil.
An official plaque still is on the wall outside, as the new pizza won the applause of the Queen.
The fresh white cheese is the main ingredient of the Margherita pizza. That typical white cheese is made from a combination between cow's milk and buffalo-milk. Its name is mozzarella. Most buffalo-milk mozzarella sold in the Unites States is imported from Italy and South America.
In early May I hosted two Canadian tourists from Nova Scotia, Juanita and Mike, who went to Naples after staying in Rome and its surroundings. While they were visiting Naples they learnt how to make pizza. They sent me two photos that they took while they were learning how to make pizza.
I am so glad to see they enjoyed both visiting my born place and making pizza.
...thanks for this yummy post, Giorgio.
ReplyDeleteI'll have pizza Margherita at dinner tonight 😀🍕🍺
DeleteMel post.La Margherita è la mia preferita.
ReplyDeleteI prefer it too.
DeleteIt deserves 👏the applause of the Queen from what I see in your post and photos. The pizza 🍕 looks delicious. The ambiance looks old fashioned, warm and friendly. I love the Gingham apron and tablecloth as well.
ReplyDeleteYes that's lovely place. There are the same furniture as Queen Margherita saw more than 100 years ago.
DeleteThank you for the appreciation Linda :-)
ReplyDeleteJuanita and Mike are talented, their pizzas look fantastic.
It's interesting to see where the original Margherita pizza was created.
I've been to Naples twice, unfortunately I didn't eat pizza Margherita. But I did go to the famous cafe. :)
I wish you a very nice weekend
Great to hear you visited Naples twice. That's my birthplace :-)
DeleteGiorgio, very interesting post and photos. I love to eat pizza!!!!! This is one of my favorite dishes. Margherita pizza - it's one of my favorite pizzas :) I don't like to eat only seafood pizza. Giorgio, I'm thinking at this point that I will eat pizza for dinner tonight :)
ReplyDeleteMy good friend, I wish you a good tonight and a beautiful Sunday!
Enjoy your pizza tonight, Anna!
DeleteWow! This is a very nice post. You know how much I love pizza. I would love to visit there. Good for Juanita and Mike.
ReplyDeleteYes, they enjoyed making pizza.
DeleteWhat a wonderful connection to history—learning to make pizza in the birthplace of the Margherita must have been a delicious and memorable experience for Juanita and Mike!
ReplyDeleteThey were so happy to make such unusual Naples' tour.
DeleteHello, Giorgio! I've never eaten Margherita pizza. I am sorry. Of course, pizzas are sold in our shops but I prefer homemade pizza.
ReplyDeleteMargherita pizza is so simple: white cheese (mozzarella), tomatoes and basil.
DeleteMe gusta la pizza, te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could go there right now!
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting where the pizza come from, it does look very nice.
ReplyDeleteTrue, visitors and tourists say it is a lovely place.
DeleteLooks amazing, I like the inside. Great photos of the couple from Canada too :-D
ReplyDeleteI like pizza but don't have it often. I have a milk intolerance so need vegan cheese, which really just isn't the same! I am also vegetarian so no meat on mine either! in saying that a vegan Margherita can be nice if made well :-D
DeleteIf you went there they would cook a specific pizza for you (with no white cheese mozzarella). On the contrary, they are not equipped to make pizza for celiacs.
I've had a few pizzas without cheese, they are okay. Yes catering for gluten-free is hard. I'd have to say Scotland is very allergy and dietary friendly, espcially in the bigger cities and towns :-D
DeleteI don't very often eat pizza ... one of my grandsons loves it!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting post though, thank you.
All the best Jan
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/
Glad you enjyed it :-)
DeleteI love pizza italiana and Napoli a beautiful city.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words about my born town and its Margherita pizza ☀ 🍕 😋
DeleteWhat a fantastic dive into the history of pizza, and especially the iconic Margherita! I absolutely loved this post . it's such a treat when you combine delicious food history with personal travel stories.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly incredible to think that a place like Pizzeria Brandi has been around since 1780. Imagine all the stories those walls could tell, long before the Margherita was even dreamed up! The tale of its creation for Queen Margherita of Savoy, mirroring the colors of the Italian flag, is one of those perfect historical anecdotes that just makes the food taste even better. And that official plaque outside? What a testament to its legacy.Your description of mozzarella, especially the detail about it being a mix of cow's and buffalo milk, was really interesting. It's those little specifics that make the post so informative and engaging.
But the highlight for me has to be your personal connection with Juanita and Mike. How wonderful that you hosted them and that they went on to explore your "born place" of Naples. It must be incredibly gratifying to know they not only visited but also got hands-on with pizza making. Those photos they sent are just brilliant – you can almost feel the flour and the warmth of the oven!
It sounds like you're quite the gracious host and friend, and this post perfectly captures the joy of sharing a piece of your heritage with others. Thanks for taking us on this delicious journey to Naples!
Now I'm craving a real Margherita! What's your favorite part about making or eating a classic Margherita pizza?
You are right, Melody, as each stone can tell us a story.
DeleteYes, the plaque is outside just close to Brandi's old pizzeria. I like both making and eating Margherita pizza. Thanks for you appreciation :-) I was so glad to hear that the two Canadian guests had enjoyed my birth place. They are really nice people.
Thanks again 🙂 🇮🇪 🍕