Controversial topping: pineapple on pizza costs US$125 at this restaurant

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A Papa John's spokesperson declared they did this because the company takes pride in their diverse menu. "We firmly believe in customer choice, so when we witnessed this controversy unfold, we knew we had to take a stand," they said.

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However, dare to mix the two, and you might find yourself embroiled in a passionate debate.

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Legend has it that Panopoulos experimented by adding canned pineapple and ham to a pizza. To his surprise, this unexpected combination of sweet and savory flavors quickly became a customer favorite. The name "Hawaiian" is said to be inspired by the brand of canned pineapple Panopoulos used on his invention.

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Despite the fervent debate surrounding it, pineapple remains a fixture on many pizza menus, even gracing the offerings of some of the finest establishments.

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Pizza reigns supreme on global taste buds, and while pineapple might not be everyone's fruit of choice, it certainly holds its own.

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She also points out that liverwurst and onions were common pizza toppings in the 1950s, and pepperoni didn't gain widespread popularity until the '70s. This historical context raises an interesting question: could pineapple on pizza eventually become a beloved classic?

Sources: (CNN) (GB News) (BBC) (Norwich Evening News) (YouGov)

See also: Unexpected facts about common foods

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President of Iceland Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson even sparked a minor international stir when he playfully suggested to a group of schoolchildren that, if given the authority, he would outlaw pineapple on pizza.

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This tropical fruit shines in a variety of culinary delights, from decadent cakes and sweet treats to the iconic piña colada.

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The question of pineapple on pizza is a deeply divisive issue, capable of fracturing friendships, straining familial bonds, and even sparking international controversy!

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Many believe the commercial success of Hawaiian pizza can be traced back to 1962, when Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos introduced it at his restaurant in Canada.

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Despite its name, the 'Hawaiian' pizza may not actually have originated in Hawaii. Early mentions of pineapple as a pizza topping appear in the mid-1950s, while the term 'Hawaiian' emerged later in the decade to describe pizzas featuring pineapple and various other combinations of ingredients.

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Younger generations also demonstrate a stronger affinity for pineapple on pizza, with 15% of 18-34-year-olds selecting it as a favorite, compared to only 9% of those aged 55 and older.

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According to a 2019 YouGov Omnibus survey, pineapple enjoys significant popularity as a pizza topping among Americans, with 12% of pizza-eating respondents ranking it among their top three favorites. This preference is particularly pronounced in the US West, where 17% of respondents favored pineapple.

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Across the pond, despite 82% of respondents in a 2017 YouGov poll admitting liking pineapple, only 53% enjoy it on pizza, with 12% mildly disliking and 29% strongly disliking the combination.

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The menu playfully taunts pineapple pizza enthusiasts, featuring a tongue-in-cheek description for the overpriced delicacy: "Yeah, for £100 you can have it. Order the Champagne too! Go on you monster!"

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In a savvy marketing move, Papa John's, one of the UK's largest pizza chains, entered the fray. Their response: for a limited 24-hour period, Norwich residents could snag a large Hawaiian pizza for just £1 (approximately US$1.25).

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Purists vehemently argue that pineapple disrupts the sacred tradition of pizza, asserting that fruit, with the notable exception of tomatoes, has no place on a savory dough.

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Despite significant online attention surrounding their high-priced pineapple pizza, no orders had been placed as of Jianoran's recent interview.

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In a recent interview, the pizzeria’s head chef Quin Jianoran made his stance on pineapple crystal clear: "I say 'no' to pineapple." While he acknowledged the highly divisive nature of the fruit on pizza, he reaffirmed that the restaurant is "simply taking a stand."

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Lupa Pizza in Norwich, England, made headlines by offering pineapple on their menu, but with a hefty price tag of £100 (nearly US$125).

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However, a daring British pizzeria recently made headlines by taking a defiant stand against this contentious topping.

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While acknowledging their customers' right to choose, the owners openly declared their utter disdain for pineapple as a pizza topping.

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This exorbitant cost, the owners explained, was a deliberate move to discourage customers from ordering it.

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Renowned pizzaiolo Franco Pepe suggests that the strong flavor of pineapple may clash with the traditional tomato sauce, leading to a less harmonious flavor profile. He speculated that, for some, the combination is likely too adventurous: "pineapple paired with tomato sauce might simply be too much of a flavor clash."

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But fans of Hawaiian pizza appreciate the delightful contrast of sweet and savory flavors, a concept not unfamiliar to other culinary creations, such as the beloved salted caramel.

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Panopoulos and his brothers operated a restaurant in Ontario, Canada, initially focusing on classic diner fare like pancakes and burgers. However, inspired by a trip to Naples, Panopoulos decided to expand the menu to include pizza.

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Pizza was still a relatively new concept in North America, primarily featuring traditional toppings like mushrooms, bacon, and pepperoni. Panopoulos initially followed suit, but his culinary curiosity was piqued.

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He began experimenting with bolder flavors, introducing Americanized Chinese dishes like sweet and sour chicken–which prominently features pineapple–to his menu.

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Carol Helstosky, a culinary scholar at the University of Denver who has extensively researched the history of pizza, emphasizes that Panopoulos' creation was part of a long tradition of culinary experimentation. "In Naples, pizza was a cuisine of necessity," she explains, "People used whatever ingredients were available."

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Pineapple on pizza: a culinary battleground where friendships are forged and families are fractured. This seemingly simple topping choice never fails to ignite passionate debates across the globe, with strong opinions on both sides of the aisle.

Recently, a daring British pizzeria made headlines by taking a bold stance against this controversial topping, adding a twist to their menu to discourage customers from ordering it. The audacious move reignited the mystery surrounding this culinary conundrum: why do people hate the topping so much? What is the origin of this daring combination?

Intrigued? Click on to discover why pineapple on pizza continues to be one of the most hotly debated topics in the food world.

Controversial topping: pineapple on pizza costs US$125 at this restaurant

Love it or hate it, the culinary war continues

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