NATIONAL CHEESE PIZZA DAY

On September 5th, National Cheese Pizza Day says, “Hold the toppings!” That’s right, cheese is all you need when celebrating this pizza holiday. Whether the pie is homemade or ordered in, make it cheese only. 

Add a variety of cheeses to your pie to celebrate. Smokey gouda or a little gorgonzola might mix it up. If you like a little cheddar, mild or sharp shredded across the top will do. Debates prevail over thin or thick crust. However, that debate is for another day. The cheese holds the spotlight on this occasion. In fact, thin-crust doesn’t even have a day. How did that happen? However, deep-dish does. Check out April 5th for more information about it. And National Pizza Day gets piping hot on February 9th. 

We do know a few things about pizza in general, though. In ancient Greece, they covered their bread with oils, herbs and cheese. Many believe this to be the beginning of the pizza. In Byzantine Greek the word was spelled πίτα, or pita, meaning pie. The Romans also developed a version of the pizza pie. Using bay leaves for flavoring, the Romans topped the dough with cheese and honey. 

When it comes to the modern pizza, we turn to Italy. Their Neapolitan flatbread created the beginnings of the pizza we know and love today. It was topped with mozzarella cheese made from high-quality buffalo milk. 

In the United States, we love our pizzas, especially cheese pizza. In 1997, it’s estimated the United States produced more than 2 billion pounds of pizza cheese. That’s a lot of cheese! Our passion for pizza began in 1905 when the first pizza eaty oped in New York’s Little Italy. It’s been a cheese love affair ever since. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCheesePizzaDay

Order up or bake up your own cheese pizza to celebrate! Take a pizza poll to find out who makes the best cheese pizza in your state. Test out a new recipe or try one of these below. Have a cheese pizza party. Invite friends over to make their favorite cheese pizzas and enjoy each other’s company. You can even try to break a world record. Make the largest cheese pizza or the thinnest.

While you can make the pizza at home don’t forget to give a shout out to your favorite pizzeria. Whether they service it by the slice or you order up a whole pizza, you know they make it with love.

Use #NationalCheesePizzaDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL PIZZA DAY

National Pizza Day is observed annually on February 9th.

Whether it is thin crust, Chicago-style, deep dish, cheese, sausage, or anything in between, pizza is an American favorite.

Here are some interesting facts about pizza:

  • Pepperoni is the most popular pizza at 36% of all pies ordered.
  • Over 3 billion pizzas are sold in the USA each year.  Add another 1 billion on frozen pizzas
  • 17% of all US Restaurants are pizzerias.
  •  Antica Pizzeria, the first Pizzeria, opened in Naples, Italy, in 1738.
  •  Gennaro Lombardi, the first Pizzeria in the United States, opened in 1895 in New York City.
  • Americans consume on average 23 pounds of pizza per person each year.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Throw a pizza party and give the following recipes a try:

Mom’s Homemade Pizza with fun memories

Mom’s pizza dough recipe

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPizzaDay

Use #NationalPizzaDay to post on social media.