Legend states that the Pizza Margherita was created in 1889 by Neapolitan pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito. During a visit by Queen Margherita of Savoy to Naples, Esposito was asked to prepare several pizzas. He designed one specifically to represent the colors of the newly unified Italian flag: red (tomatoes), white (mozzarella), and green (basil). The Queen reportedly loved the combination so much that Esposito named it after her. While historical evidence suggests that similar combinations of toppings existed in Naples before 1889, the royal endorsement popularized the dish and helped transition pizza from a food for the poor to a respected culinary staple. Today, 'Pizza Napoletana' is protected by 'Traditional Speciality Guaranteed' (TSG) status in the EU, which mandates specific ingredients and baking techniques, including a wood-fired oven.