Pizza is one of the most loved foods in the world. It’s cheesy, comfortable and can be made in many different ways. People add vegetables, meats and a lot more. But one topping has been debated about for years: pineapple. Some people say it is the best for a sweet and salty mix, while others believe it completely ruins the pizza.
People who like pineapple on pizza say it makes the flavor more interesting. The sweetness of pineapple goes well with salty cheese and toppings like bacon, ham or chicken. They feel that it adds a balance that makes the pizza taste better than usual. As Mary Hyland, chef-owner of New York’s Emily (pizzeria) and Emmy squared puts it, “Pineapple roasts up nicely and tastes good when cooked, so I think it makes sense.”
For many people, pineapple gives pizza a fun twist instead of the regular taste. If people can put barbeque chicken, pasta or even paneer on pizza, then pineapple should be considered too. Others strongly disagree. They feel pineapple does not belong to pizza at all. Some say it makes the crust soggy and watery, while others say the taste doesn’t mix well with tomato sauce.
“Pizza is supposed to be savory, not sweet.” said sophomore Lakshya Bobbili.
Many people think that pizza should stick to more traditional toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms or onions. For them, pineapple feels too unusual and takes away the classic flavor which makes the pizza comforting.
There are also people who don’t really care either way. For them, pizza is pizza, no matter what’s on top of it.
“I would eat the slice of pizza with pineapple on it because why not? It’s just my personal choice to eat it,” sophomore Daksha Ravva explained.
It all depends on the mood, sometimes people enjoy experimenting with different toppings and other times they just stick to the basics.
The funny thing is that pineapple on pizza was never meant to be an argument. It first became popular in Canada in the 1960s when a restaurant owner decided to try something different. Ever since then, it has spread all over the world, and so has the debate. Some countries love it, while others even refuse to put it on their menus.
In the end, it all comes back to personal taste. Some people will choose pineapple as their go to topping, while others avoid it completely. Neither side is wrong because food is about what makes each person happy. Pineapple on pizza may not be everyone’s favorite, but it is not as bad as people make it sound.
Whether you are team pineapple or team absolutely not, the good thing is pizza will always have something for everyone. With so many flavors and toppings to choose from, there is no ‘right’ way to eat it. Maybe that’s what makes the debate so fun, it reminds us that food is more than just a taste. It is about trying new things, sharing opinions and sometimes arguing with friends over a slice.
