Who doesn’t like pizza?

This food is a favorite among people everywhere. In fact, each year, a whopping 5 billion pizzas are eaten around the globe!

But this ooey, gooey “pie” didn’t start out as the “world-wonder” we know it as today. The first pizza was made by simple peasants back in the 1700’s in Naples, Italy – they topped focaccia bread with fresh tomatoes.

If you think that’s pizz-a-rrific, check out these fun facts about one of the world’s most celebrated foods.

Pounds of Pizza

The average adult eats about 23 pounds of pizza each year – that’s around 46 slices. Another 350 slices are eaten every second!

One man, by the name of Cristian Dumitru, ate 200 pounds of pizza in one week. That is more than his body weight!

Did you know…36% of Americans think pizza is the perfect breakfast food?

Pricey Pizza

The most expensive pizza is located at Nino’s Bellissima Pizza in Manhattan. It costs 1,000 dollars and is topped with lobster, white truffles, and caviar.

Another pricey pizza was sold at auction for $4,200. It was topped with edible gold, venison medallions, sun-blushed tomato sauce, marinated lobster, smoked salmon and caviar marinated in champagne.

Did you know…the most popular pizza topping is pepperoni?

World’s Biggest Pizza

The biggest pizza recorded was 131 feet in circumference. It contained;

• 19,800 pounds of flour
• 10,000 pounds of tomato sauce
• 8,800 pounds of mozzarella cheese
• 1,488 pounds of margarine
• 551 pounds of rock salt
• 220 pounds of lettuce
• 55 pounds of vinegar

What did this humongous pie weigh? A ginormous 51,257 pounds!

Did you know…Josh Anderson holds the world record for fastest pizza eater? He devoured a 12-inch pizza in one minute and 45 seconds.

Space Pizza

In 2001, Pizza Hut paid 1 million dollars for a pizza to be delivered to the International Space Station. It was only six inches in size and was loaded with salt and spices – being in space makes your taste buds weak.

Did you know…the biggest pizza sales day is Super Bowl Sunday? The next biggest are Halloween, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

How Will You Celebrate?

Today is World Pizza Day, so grab a slice and celebrate this cheesy occasion!

Happy Eatin’!