Neapolitan pizza is one of the most famous types of pizza in the world, originating from Naples, Italy. It is known for its soft dough and traditional ingredients, such as fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil. Neapolitan pizza is more than just a dish – it is a symbol of Italy.
Neapolitan pizza was recognized and protected by European legislation in 2009 as a "traditional specialty guaranteed" (STG). The STG label is a quality designation issued by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (True Neapolitan Pizza Association) in Italy. This label confirms that the pizza was prepared in accordance with the traditional methods and ingredients used for Neapolitan pizza. To obtain this label, the pizza must be baked in a wood-fired oven, made from dough that was kneaded by hand, and contain traditional ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, and fresh herbs. In addition, Neapolitan pizza should have a thin crust and high edges, which are formed during preparation and are the result of the manual work of the pizzaiolo (a chef specializing in pizza preparation). These high edges create the characteristic flavor and texture of the pizza.
Despite the fact that the round shape is the most common, Neapolitan pizza can also be prepared in the form of a rectangle or oval. However, when shaping the dough and preparing the pizza in this way, it is necessary to follow traditional methods in order to preserve its unique taste and quality.
The Verace Pizza Napoletana association was created in 1984 and includes over 4,000 members in Italy and beyond. Its goal is to protect and promote traditional Neapolitan pizza and its ingredients. This organization has established standards for the preparation of Neapolitan pizza and conducts certification for restaurants that adhere to these standards. Restaurants that have been certified by AVPN usually mark their menus with the "Vera Pizza Napoletana" sign, which guarantees that they strictly follow the traditional rules for preparing Neapolitan pizza.
Neapolitan pizza often appears in movies as a symbol of Italy and its culture.
The film in which Neapolitan pizza takes a central place is "Chef" (2012) directed by Daniel Cohen. It's a French comedy about an Italian chef who opens a restaurant in Paris and tries to prove his love for Italian cuisine.
In the movie "La La Land" (2016) directed by Damien Chazelle, the main character works in a pizzeria and plays the piano during breaks between orders. In one of the scenes, he performs a song while sitting on a kitchen table while the cooks are making pizza.
It's true that the cafe where Julia Roberts ate Neapolitan pizza in the movie "Eat Pray Love" really exists in Naples, and it's called "L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele." This pizzeria was founded in 1870 and still follows traditional methods of making Neapolitan pizza. "L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele" is a popular place among tourists, and it can get very crowded. However, despite this, many visitors consider the pizza here to be really delicious and worth a visit.
Indeed, Neapolitan pizza is not just a popular dish in Italy and around the world, but also plays an important role in culture and art, including in cinema. Neapolitan pizza is not just a dish, but a true tradition that has stood the test of time and continues to delight food lovers from all over the world.
