Combinations of sweet and savory dishes are not uncommon. Many say that the sweetness of pineapple goes well with the saltiness of cheese and pizza sauce. So, why is pineapple so controversial on pizza? 

The debate over whether pineapple should be on pizza is reminiscent of food pairing methods (untrademarked), suggesting that ingredients pair best when they share a common flavor ingredient. This is especially true of Western cuisine. Other cuisines often pair differently flavored ingredients with great success, too This food pairing approach may be an excellent place to start if you want to experiment with different ingredients at home but may not be desired in every situation. There are many favorite sweet and savory combinations, and pineapple supporters claim that pineapple on pizza is one of them. 

The origin of the pineapple pizza (Hawaiian pizza) dates from 1962 and, surprisingly, has nothing to do with Hawaii. Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-born Canadian, made the first pineapple pizza in his Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario, Canada. 

Panopoulos, inspired by Asian dishes that merged sweet and savory flavors, decided to add canned pineapple to a cheese and ham pizza and serve it to his customers. He named his pizza after the brand of canned pineapple he used, and people loved it. It wasn’t long before many people started asking for his Hawaiian pizza, and his concept soon spread across North America. 

This pineapple pizza debate calls for a list of reasons why pineapple should and shouldn’t be on pizza. After reading both sides of the argument, you can form your own opinion.