The seemingly endless variations of pizza toppings continue to evolve, with recent additions like kebab pizzas and taco-inspired meat blends joining the ranks. However, classic favorites like the Hawaiian pizza, with its contentious combination of ham, cheese, and pineapple, remain steadfast. The inclusion of fruit in savory dishes, especially pineapple on pizza, has long been a polarizing topic, igniting passionate debates and dividing food enthusiasts into two distinct camps: those who embrace the sweet and savory fusion, and those who vehemently reject it.
This culinary controversy recently took center stage in Norwich, England, where a pizzeria decided to take a firm stance on the pineapple-on-pizza debate. While the Hawaiian pizza is technically on their menu, ordering one for home delivery comes with a hefty £100 surcharge, a stark contrast to the usual £11 price for a pizza and delivery. According to Quin Jianoran, the owner of the pizzeria, this substantial fee serves as a symbolic penalty, reflecting their disapproval of unconventional pizza toppings, particularly pineapple. Jianoran acknowledges the divisive nature of this decision, admitting that it has sparked considerable controversy among customers. He explains his reasoning by pointing to his eight years of experience in the pizza industry, where the pineapple debate has been a constant theme. Recognizing the strong feelings on both sides, he saw the surcharge as a provocative way to engage customers and ignite discussion. In an attempt to appease disgruntled customers, the pizzeria has initiated a customer poll, promising to add the Hawaiian pizza to their regular menu if enough votes are cast in its favor.
The debate extends far beyond the confines of this Norwich pizzeria. Notable figures like Iceland’s former president, Guðni Jóhannesson, have expressed their strong disapproval of pineapple as a pizza topping, even suggesting a ban on the controversial combination. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay also falls firmly into the anti-pineapple camp, along with an estimated 15% of the British population. On the other side of the spectrum, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has publicly declared his support for pineapple on pizza, using the hashtag #TeamPineapple to express his allegiance. Ironically, the Hawaiian pizza is purported to have originated in Canada, where restaurant owner Sam Panopoulus playfully added pineapple slices to a pizza in 1962, much to the delight of his customers. This seemingly innocuous experiment inadvertently ignited a global culinary debate that continues to this day.
The pineapple-on-pizza controversy resonates particularly strongly in Italy, the birthplace of pizza. A 2018 YouGov survey revealed that Italians consider pineapple on pizza to be one of the worst culinary offenses against their national cuisine, ranking third on a list of culinary sins, just behind the even more egregious act of putting ketchup on pasta. The depth of this culinary aversion was further highlighted when renowned Neapolitan pizzaiolo Gino Sorbillo dared to introduce his own version of the Hawaiian pizza. The backlash was swift and fierce, with one online comment lamenting, ”A hundred Neapolitan pizza chefs just died seeing this,” in response to a video of Sorbillo indulging in a pineapple-laden pizza. The incident underscored the deep-seated cultural resistance to what many Italians perceive as a desecration of their culinary heritage.
The enduring debate surrounding pineapple on pizza transcends mere culinary preference; it delves into deeper cultural and emotional territories. For some, it represents a playful and delicious fusion of sweet and savory flavors, a testament to culinary innovation and individual taste. For others, especially those with strong ties to traditional pizza-making cultures like Italy, it symbolizes a fundamental disrespect for culinary tradition, a betrayal of the authentic flavors and principles that define their beloved national dish. The passion with which both sides defend their position underscores the profound cultural significance of food and the powerful emotions it can evoke.
The Norwich pizzeria’s decision to impose a surcharge on Hawaiian pizzas, while controversial, has effectively tapped into this ongoing debate, bringing the pineapple-on-pizza dilemma back into the spotlight. Whether the pizzeria ultimately decides to include the Hawaiian pizza on their regular menu remains to be seen, but their provocative move has undeniably sparked conversation and highlighted the enduring power of food to ignite passions and divide opinions. The pineapple-on-pizza saga continues, a testament to the enduring human fascination with culinary boundaries and the ongoing quest for the perfect slice.
