Pita
/ˈpiː.tə/noun
A round, hollow or pocket-shaped flatbread common in Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Balkan cuisines.
Did you know?Pita’s ultimate origin is uncertain: it appears across Greek, Balkan, and eastern Mediterranean languages, suggesting an old regional food word whose original source may be lost.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek?
Greek
πίττα (pítta)
“A cake, pastry, or flat baked preparation; the connection to modern pita is possible but not certain.”
Medieval Greek
Greek
πίτα (píta)
“A pie, cake, or flat baked bread.”
Early Modern Period
Balkan languages
pita / pite / pită
“Regional terms for pies, pastries, or flatbreads in Greek and neighboring Balkan languages.”
20th Century
English
pita
“A Middle Eastern or Mediterranean flatbread, especially one that forms a pocket when baked.”