Does Pineapple Belong On Pizza? Guess what…

Ah, the age-old question: Does pineapple belong on pizza? Lovers of Hawaiian pizza around the world can tell you it does, while for many others, the idea of pineapple on a pizza is just plain wrong. I’m here to give you my two cents on the matter, from the perspective of a passionate home chef.

Because I firmly believe that to each his own – I think that pineapple can have a place on pizza! After all, doesn’t everybody have the right to enjoy their favorite pizza, however, it may be topped?

When I first heard about pineapple on pizza, I’ll admit that I was repulsed. “What kind of bizarre combination is this?” I thought. No wonder why it’s such a controversial topic – I imagine this is how most people would react. But, when talking to my friends and trying some Hawaiian pizza for my first time, I began to understand the charm of it all.

I think the key thing to keep in mind is this: People choose to create pizza combinations to express themselves. Let’s look at it like this: pizza is like a blank canvas for home chefs to experiment and truly showcase their personalities as a pizza maker. And, when you look at it this way, it’s easy to see how pizza combinations are not only delicious but also symbolic. On that note, if you’re interested about how long guacamole can stay out, I wrote a great piece about it recently. But let’s go back to our topic.

Take classic Neapolitan pizza, for example. This is one of my favorite pizzas – it’s known for being extremely simple and classic but with maximum flavor. On the other hand, Hawaiian pizza is all about experimentation and pushing the boundaries of what a pizza can be. That’s why I found it so intriguing to try it out and figure out why people choose to put pineapple on their pizzas.

For me, the reasons for having pineapple on pizza lie in the flavor – it’s sweet and bold and it adds a unique layer of deliciousness to the pizza. That’s why I personally think it works incredibly well, especially if you’re topping the pizza with salami, bacon, or other cured meats. The pineapple pieces help cut the saltiness of those meats and add just enough sweetness to really balance out the flavors.

Not convinced yet? That’s ok, I get it. To some, the combination of salty meats and sweet pineapple still sounds strange. But if you find yourself on the fence, I suggest giving Hawaiian pizza a try and see for yourself. You may actually be pleasantly surprised.

It’s easy to see why this question generates so much debate. Some see pineapple as the perfect addition to a pizza, while others believe pineapple is a total stranger to pizzas. For me, the answer lies somewhere in the middle – I think pineapple can have a place on pizza, but it’s not something I reach for every time I make a pizza. Transferring back to our work, I recall writing a piece exploring canned spinach. But let’s focus on what we were discussing.

To each his own! As famous chef and restaurateur Mario Batali put it, “At the end of the day, if anyone’s offended by what you’re doing, buy them their own pizza”. For me, that’s the most important thing to remember. Ultimately, if you love pineapple pizza, you should feel free to make and eat it as much as you want. To quote Batali: “Food diversity is what makes the world go round”.

At the end of the day, this isn’t an argument about what’s right or wrong. It’s about being open to new possibilities, and to respecting each other’s opinions and food choices – no matter if it’s a plain Neapolitan pizza or a Hawaiian pizza with pineapple. As for me, I can have some honest respect for any pizza – and I definitely wouldn’t mind a slice of Hawaiian pizza from time to time.

Is it wrong to put Pineapple on pizza?

Most people have a food they cannot stand — those little briny pickles, rubbery mushrooms, or unidentifiable vegetables. For me, it’s pineapple on pizza. I know, it’s really controversial, but it’s something that I simply cannot get onboard with. It’s funny though, because everyone around me seems to love it — there are even restaurants that specialize in it! 

A few months ago, I was in a pizza joint and a table of five people (all of whom I know) had been there for only a few minutes before the waitress came over and asked them if they wanted to add pineapple to their pizza. Right then, if you want to know whether your turkey bacon’s gone off, I recently penned an article on it – anyhow, back onto our topic. I have to admit they all screamed with delight and said it was a must-have topping when eating pizza. I found it a bit strange, to be honest, since no one else in the restaurant had been ordering it.

To be fair, there’s a lot to be said for the combination of sweet and savory flavors. It certainly has its fans. But I really can’t get beyond the texture of the fruit in contrast to the (hopefully) crispy crust of the pizza. 

On the other hand, many famous chefs have jumped into defense of the classic topping. Perhaps the most famous of them is Antonio Carluccio, the Italian chef, who said: “I think pineapple on pizza is a fantastic combination. The sweet from the pineapple and the salty from the cheese make it an explosion of flavours. It’s an absolute classic in my household.” 

But here’s the thing: pineapple just doesn’t belong on pizza. It doesn’t matter who says it’s delicious and it doesn’t matter what the waiter thinks, putting pineapple on a pizza is like putting a pair of flip-flops in the ocean — it just won’t work. 

For me, pizza is all about the combination of cheese and sauce and maybe a few other toppings. So if you’re a fan of pineapple on pizza, by all means, go ahead and enjoy it. But as for me, I’ll stick to my Margherita pizza with extra mozzarella, please.

Should pineapple be allowed on pizza?

Before I get too deep into it, let me be transparent and admit that I am a huge fan of pineapple on pizza. I’m not sure what sparked my love for it, but I’ve tried it all – from pizza parlors to DIY pizzas, and there’s nothing like a sweet and savory combination.

So, let’s break this down the same way an expert chef would. First, let’s talk pineapple. Pineapple is a tropical fruit that’s sweet, juicy, and packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It’s a delicious addition to many dishes, and it adds a certain zing that makes it a stand out ingredient. So why not put it on pizza?

Before I get to deep, I should note there’s a spectrum of opinion on this topic. At one end of the spectrum, there are those who love adding pineapple to their pizzas. Some people cite the delicious flavor of the pineapple paired with the salty, cheesy pizza. Others point out the textures of the pineapple – crunchy yet soft – that compliment the more classic pizza textures. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum there are those who strongly believe pineapple does not belong on pizza. For them, the sweet and savory combination is a culinary crime.

Coming back to what we were discussing, if you’re curious what to pair with scalloped potatoes, I wrote a nice article about it. Let’s keep going. Having tried both approaches to my heart’s content, I believe that in the end, everyone’s opinion will stay the same. As the great pizza master Mario Bifulco once said “All ingredients are required in the making of a good pizza.

The tomato, the cheese, the dough, and the pineapple – all are needed to bring forth a balanced pizza.” I think it’s that balanced combination and the unlikely marriage of sweet and savory that explains why the pineapple pizza debate has raged on for generations and why it’s still a debated topic today.

As a food blogger, I can’t just leave this without a proper answer, so here it is: yes, pineapple should be allowed on pizza. Whether you’re a pineapple-pizza lover or a pineapple-pizza hater, at the end of the day it’s up to your personal preference. There’s no ‘right’ answer here. So if pineapple isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other delicious pizza toppings to explore. From classic pepperoni to creative new flavor combos, pizza is all about finding the right ingredients to make it perfect. So choose wisely and enjoy the ride.

What percentage of people put pineapple on pizza?

Pineapple on pizza has long divided the pizza-eating public, with some hailing it as an unexpected flavor combination while other vehemently deride it as simply wrong. Some also point out that pineapple is not a common topping in traditional Italian pizzas. But despite all the controversy, it seems that a large percentage of people still enjoy pineapple on their pizza.

For the curious, a 2019 survey of 1,000 people revealed that fifty-seven percent of Americans are willing to try pineapple on their pizza, with 82 percent of those who had tried it saying that they liked it. Only 18 percent said that they were not fans of the combination. So the verdict is that pineapple on pizza is far from a fringe phenomenon – which is a relief for all the pineapple pizza lovers out there!

Okay then, with that said, if you’re curious about the amount of calories in a baked potato smothered in butter, I’ve created a helpful article on that. To start us off again, let’s get back to our things.

The combination of sweet juicy pineapple and salty, savory ingredients seems to be surprisingly popular. People have been drawn to it since the seventies, when Hawaiian pizza, a combination of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and canned pineapple, debuted in Canada. This innovation also made a lasting impression on the American market, and people have been experimenting with different variations of this and other types of savory-sweet pizzas ever since. 

Even if pineapple might not be the most common topping, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying. This summer I decided to take a chance and give it a try during a staycation and it was delicious. 

If you’ve just been eating it out of curiosity, chances are you’ll enjoy it. “It shocks people how delicious it is,” says Brittany Kress, co-owner of Eclectic Pizza in Milwaukee. “You get that mixture of sweet and savory.”

This is why pineapple on pizza lovers can now rejoice. It’s entirely possible to find a place to order it, or to even try it at home if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s likely to be a hit when entertaining – just make sure you let your guests know what they’re getting into before they bite into it.

There are countless ways to customize the pizza, like using fresh pineapple, different cheeses, or choosing alternative bases. The possibilities are endless! Plus, if you need more convincing, it makes for great Instagram food photos.

So, although there’s no guarantee that everyone will like pineapple on pizza, it’s definitely worth trying. Whether you’re skeptical or an enthusiastic pineapple pizza lover, it’s hard to deny that it grabs attention and that there’s something fun and exciting about it. Anyhow, if you’re curious about freezing brown sugar, I created an article about it. Nevertheless, let’s keep the conversation going.

Do Italians put pineapple on pizza?

I can confidently say that in my experience Italians DON’T typically put pineapple on pizza. But do you know what they do love on their pizzas? Artichoke hearts and capers, of course!

Growing up in an Italian-American home, we always had at least one pizza with artichoke hearts and capers baked in the oven. The Taste of Italy was always present with the multiple toppings offered. From the salty capers to the earthy artichokes and the robust flavour of the tomato sauce, this pizza was a thing of beauty.

That beauty (in my opinion) can only be attributed to the proper combination of flavours that should only be reserved for some pizzas – specifically the artichoke heart and caper pizza. 

Marcello, a close friend of mine and Italian native, always tells me stories of his mom in the kitchen or what he calls “mama’s pizzeria”. He boasted his mother’s knowledge of what toppings work on a simple pizza and quoted her—“You can add almost anything you like to your pizza, just make sure the artichoke hearts and capers are always present. The combination of them brings a certain something to the pizza, something you can’t replicate with pineapple”.

(Recently, I wrote a piece on the use of peanut oil in baking, which you might find helpful. But, back to our thing.)

It seems in Italy, there is an unwritten rule of never putting pineapple on a pizza. To the Italian palette, it is simply unheard of. There are some contemporary restaurants that have experimented with the combination, however, the general consensus is that pineapple does not belong on a pizza. 

If you visit Italy and find yourself at one of the local pizzerias, don’t expect pineapple to be on the menu, but a combination of artichoke hearts and capers will sure be present. Italians are proud of their traditions in pizza making. After all, the country is home to some of the best pizza on the planet, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that pineapple isn’t commonly found as a topping. 

Rather than settling for pineapple, I suggest adding artichoke hearts and capers to your next pizza. Despite their pungent flavors, these toppings really do bring forth a wonderful flavor. The sweet and salty elements combined with the crispy crust will create a delightful experience.

Who even came up with the idea of pineapple on pizza?

Legend has it that a brilliant soul named Sam Panopoulos first dared to combine these two culinary worlds in the late 1960s. His bold move unleashed a storm of taste bud sensations that took the pizza universe by storm. Love it or hate it, Sam’s audacious creation has become a pizza culture icon.

But does pineapple belong on pizza? Isn’t it sacrilegious?

Ah, the age-old question! The answer depends on whom you ask. For some, pineapple’s juicy sweetness creates a harmonious contrast with the savory goodness of cheese and other toppings. It’s like a tropical vacation for your taste buds. On the other hand, there are those who believe pineapple has no business on a pizza, arguing that it disrupts the sacred balance of flavors. Taste, my friend, is a personal journey.

What’s the deal with all the controversy?

Oh boy, buckle up! Pineapple on pizza has turned friends into foes and families into feuding factions. It’s a battleground of flavors and a clash of culinary cultures. Some find the combination delightful, while others recoil in horror at the mere thought. But hey, isn’t life all about embracing our differences and celebrating diverse tastes? That’s what makes the world of pizza so wonderfully complex.

Is there any cultural significance to pineapple on pizza?

Surprisingly, yes! Pineapple on pizza has become a symbol of multicultural fusion. While it may have originated in Canada, it quickly gained popularity in places like Australia, Sweden, and even the United States. It represents the beautiful melting pot of flavors and influences that make up our global food landscape. So, in a way, pineapple on pizza has become a testament to the power of culinary diversity.

Can pineapple on pizza coexist with other toppings?

Ah, the eternal question of compatibility! Pineapple plays well with an array of toppings, such as ham, bacon, peppers, onions, or even jalapeños for an extra kick. Its versatility allows for endless creative combinations that can tantalize your taste buds and take your pizza experience to new heights. It’s all about finding that perfect balance of flavors that makes your heart (and stomach) sing.

Where do you stand on the pineapple on pizza debate?

Ah, a personal question! Well, let’s just say that I believe in the beauty of diversity and the freedom to explore uncharted culinary territories. Pineapple on pizza has found a special place in my heart (and my stomach). There’s something magical about that burst of sweetness amidst the cheese and sauce. But hey, no judgment if it’s not your thing! We all have our own pizza preferences, and that’s what makes this world so wonderfully delicious.