Why Hawaiian Pizza is considered controversial?
etimes.in | Jan 27, 2025, 04.00 PM IST
Are you also one of those who despise the pineapple topping on pizza? Well, you are not alone, as people around the world hate this topping. Also known as Hawaiian Pizza, which a Canadian chef in the 1960s created, it is one of the most controversial foods. Even six decades later, this topping is questioned across the world. Adding fuel to this fire, recently, a pizzeria in Norwich (England) has recently introduced Pineapple Pizza to its online delivery me that too for a sum of £100 or $122 (INR 10,000).
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Lupa Pizza, one of the popular pizzerias in Norwich, England, has taken a final stance against the use of pineapple as a pizza topping. The strategy by this pizzeria is to prevent customers from ordering it. Its co-owners, including head chef Quin Jianoran, have already openly declared their abhorrence of pineapple on a pizza. Still, they store tinned pineapple because of the premium pricing, but nobody has ordered yet.
Origins of the controversyThe argument on the usage of pineapple in pizza goes way back to the origin in 1962, by a Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos, living in Canada. He experimented in adding canned pineapple in his Ontario restaurant in a move to attract people. The restaurant called it "Hawaiian," because he had used a pineapple of that brand name. It became very fast and instantly created much debate between sweetness and savored taste.
Consensus split
In terms of this controversy, there is a kind of clash, as sweet pineapple is placed between tomato sauce and cheese. Traditionalists argue that such a combination distorts the conventional flavour profile for pizza, but proponents appreciate it as a difference and find this kind of variation refreshing.
A culinary statement
The price set by Lupa Pizza for their Hawaiian pizza at £100 has once again ignited debate over the boundaries of food and personal preference. For some, this move is just a funny way to express the owners' taste; for others, it's a comment on the sanctity of recipes. But regardless of which perspective is correct, the pineapple on pizza debate remains a flavour of debate in the culinary world.
(Images courtesy: Canva)
ALSO READ: Must try Pizza from different parts of the world
Lupa Pizza, one of the popular pizzerias in Norwich, England, has taken a final stance against the use of pineapple as a pizza topping. The strategy by this pizzeria is to prevent customers from ordering it. Its co-owners, including head chef Quin Jianoran, have already openly declared their abhorrence of pineapple on a pizza. Still, they store tinned pineapple because of the premium pricing, but nobody has ordered yet.
Origins of the controversyThe argument on the usage of pineapple in pizza goes way back to the origin in 1962, by a Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos, living in Canada. He experimented in adding canned pineapple in his Ontario restaurant in a move to attract people. The restaurant called it "Hawaiian," because he had used a pineapple of that brand name. It became very fast and instantly created much debate between sweetness and savored taste.
Consensus split
In terms of this controversy, there is a kind of clash, as sweet pineapple is placed between tomato sauce and cheese. Traditionalists argue that such a combination distorts the conventional flavour profile for pizza, but proponents appreciate it as a difference and find this kind of variation refreshing.
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The price set by Lupa Pizza for their Hawaiian pizza at £100 has once again ignited debate over the boundaries of food and personal preference. For some, this move is just a funny way to express the owners' taste; for others, it's a comment on the sanctity of recipes. But regardless of which perspective is correct, the pineapple on pizza debate remains a flavour of debate in the culinary world.
(Images courtesy: Canva)