Who Knew a Pizza Topping Could Create a Heated Debate Across the Globe?
The traditional Hawaiian pizza, topped with pineapple and ham, has managed to create a divide across the globe. It was first introduced in 1954 by Sam Panopoulos at his American themed restaurant, Satellite, located in Ontario, Canada.
Panopoulos was inspired to create this pizza by the sweet and salty flavor palette of Asian culture. He chose the name “Hawaiian,” simply from the images that were printed on the pineapple can at the time.
It wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century that pizza establishments started to add the Hawaiian pizza as a staple menu item, sparking the heated debate on this flavor combo.
Those adventurous eaters who give this pizza a try are shocked by the compatibility of these flavors. 46% of Americans approve of this combination. Creating almost an even divide between the “lovers,” and “haters.” Overall we think this combo is a win for both salty and sweet enthusiasts across the globe.
In honor of National Pizza day being February 9th, here are 9 fun facts you probably don’t know about Hawaiian pizza:
- Hawaiian pizza accounts for 15 percent of all pizza sales in Australia.
- Some variations include bacon instead of ham.
- Hawaiians don’t like Hawaiian pizza anymore or less than the rest of the world.
- Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey once tweeted that “pineapple does not go on top of pizza.” However, we do not agree.
- In 2017, the president of Iceland stated that he would “ban pineapple pizza if he had the power,” luckily, he did not have this power.
- There is actually scientific evidence why pineapple should be on a pizza.
- Nearly every pizza establishment has some form of a Hawaiian pizza.
- Putting pineapple on your pizza makes it more nutritious by adding Vitamin C.
- Oregon has the highest approval rate of Hawaiian pizza out of the whole United States.