Roughly 3 billion pizzas are sold in the United States during any given year. This means that about 350 slices of pizza are eaten each second of every day in the US. This translates into 100 acres (40 hectares) of pizza that is consumed on any given day in the US.
More facts about pizza:
- Pepperoni is the most popular topping for pizzas in the US, with 36 percent of all pizzas sold annually including this topping. The least favorite topping that is commonly offered is anchovies. More than 60 percent of pizza lovers in the US prefer meat toppings over vegetable toppings.
- The first pizzeria in the US was opened in New York City in 1905 by a man named Gennaro Lombardi. Tables and chairs were added sometime during the early 1930s. The original pizzeria remained in operation into the 21st century.
- Pizza did not become highly popular in the US until after World War II, when demand for the dish from military veterans increased. During the 1950s, pizzerias become more common across the US. The first frozen pizzas and boxed pizza mixes appeared in US supermarkets in 1957.
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Discussion Comments
The first bullet point is interesting, especially in the sense that I love pepperoni pizza as well. It's funny that anchovies were brought up. While I do enjoy them, I can understand why others don't prefer them. The taste is very strong, and it tends to overpower the pizza. However, I have known people who use anchovies in pasta and salad all the time, which shows that while not exactly a popular food, it does have its uses.
I enjoy pizza every now and then, but more than often, I prefer to eat mine homemade. It might take more time than ordering take-out, but generally speaking, it's considered healthier, and it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, especially knowing that you've just made what many people create everyday. Chmander, I agree when you say that eating too much pizza can lead to health problems. However, I think one difference between homemade pizza and one from an eatery such as Pizza Hut is that while it still contains plenty of cheese and tomatoes, its rather processed as well. When making yours at home, the ingredients haven't been sitting out for long, you can eat it right off the bat, and its all natural. Overall, pizza can be healthy when you play your cards right.
I have had my fair share of pizza over the years, and I love it every single time. There are so many ingredients and toppings, it never loses its novelty. However, one thing I always make sure of is watching how much I eat it. While pizza does have a great taste, like many food products, overdoing it might lead to health problems in the future. This is especially the case if you order from a place like Little Caesars or Pizza Hut.
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