Have you ever wondered why a pizza box has holes, if we want our margarita, capricciosa or quattro formaggi to stay hot? At first glance, it might seem like someone didn't think the design through. But in reality, these little holes are a true engineering marvel that would be the envy of even NASA (well, almost).
Why does it have pizza box holes? In this article we will reveal why these seemingly insignificant holes the key to excellence pizzas from delivery. You'll learn about the history of boxes, how steam valves work, and why without these details, you'd probably never taste a perfect slice of pizza from your couch.
Steam – the secret enemy of crispy crust
When we pull the pizza out of the oven, it is hot and gives off a lot of steam. This steam is pure evil. If pizza close immediately in an airtight box, moisture gets trapped inside and the result is a soggy, limp crust that falls apart at the first bite.
This is where the holes come in! These allow steam to escape, thus maintaining that divine crispiness that makes pizza a popular choice. Pizza makers advise leaving the pizza on the grill for a few seconds before sealing, but the key is to activate the holes. Open holes allow excess moisture to drain away and thus prevent soggy conditions.
Holes that paradoxically heat up
Ironically, these little holes actually help retain heat. How? Because they small and placed on the side, they allow just the right amount of ventilation. Thus prevent moisture accumulation, but at the same time retain enough heat to ensure that the pizza arrives home warm, not soggy.
The creation of the “Michigan” box
We can thank you. Domino's Pizza and its founder Tom Monaghan, who in the 1960s, with the company Triad, developed today's box, known as Michigan box. Originally it had no holes, so some connoisseurs cut them by hand. Today the holes are pre-prepared, but the staff must hand-piercedto start working.
In front of the box were… bags
Before modern boxes, pizzas were carried around Naples in copper drums (stufa), and in the USA they rolled and pressed into paper bags. Almost romantic, but disastrous for the crust. Boxes only became popular after World War II, when the popularity of pizza exploded.
Do all boxes have holes?
Most yes, with a caveat: holes are often just pre-prepared and they need to be open manually. It's a compromise between ventilation and stability. Bigger holes = more risk of a squashed pizza.
Which pizzas do better without holes?
None. Regardless of the style, all pizzas need ventilation. Even if they are not particularly crispy, the crust must remain solid and dry, because this is the basis of a good experience.
Holes that save the evening
The next time you open a pizza box and are greeted by a gentle breeze of warm steam, remember: these little holes are silent heroines your Saturday movie and pizza treat. And in a world where so much doesn't make sense, it's nice to know that the holes in the pizza box actually they have their purpose.
