Neapolitan Pizza: A Cultural Symbol

Italy is not new to the art of making pizza. For centuries the Italian dish has been prepared in millions of kitchens and enjoyed across the globe. One of the most prestigious forms of the Italian dish is perhaps the Neapolitan pizza. It is due to this immense enjoyment and dedication for the dish that it is in the running for inclusion in Unesco’s prestigious cultural heritage list.

Italy’s Unesco put forth the Neapolitan pizza for candidacy after a unanimous vote and a petition with over 850,000 signatures. The signatures span from Italy to Japan to Argentina and a plethora of other countries across the globe.

The Italian Unesco selected the Neapolitan pizza for submission because the art of making the dish is an important component not just to the Italian identity, but the Neapolitan Identity as well. Becoming a part of the Unesco Cultural Heritage list allows cultural traditions and practices to be protected by the UN. Due to its long history, the art of Neapolitan pizza making certainly applies.

The Neapolitan pizza is not like any other pizza one can simply get on the street of New York. In fact Italy wants the Neapolitan Pizza to be outstanding against other pizza rivals from around the world.

There are strict guidelines and traditions one must follow in order for the pizza to be considered Neapolitan. The processes and traditions of making true Neapolitan pizza are so detailed that the Associazioe Verace Pizza Napoletan (AVPN), or the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, was founded in 1984.

According the AVPN Neapolitan pizza can only be ‘Marinara’ or ‘Margherita’. The dough of the Neapolitan pizza may only consist of wheat flour type ‘00’, salt, water, and yeast. The dough must be easy to manipulate and fold with the center being particularly soft.

Neapolitan pizza’s history makes it one of the most outstanding candidates for the Unesco Cultural Heritage list. Other traditions from Italy currently on the list include Sicilian puppet theatre, Sardinian pastoral songs, and more.

Neapolitan Pizza is much more than just a delicious delicacy. Neapolitan Pizza is a reminder of the importance Italian tradition and culture has upon the world… and our stomachs.

– Ashley Curtis