Pineapple On Pizza - Yes Or No?

When it comes to pineapple on pizza, it seems that people either love this combination or hate it. It was around the late 1980s that I first heard about pizza with pineapple toppings. One day, a friend urged me to try one (the main topping was Canadian bacon, with extra cheese), but unfortunately, it was not love at first bite. I love pineapples, especially when they are fresh, and I also love all kinds of pizza, but when it comes to adding pineapples to pizza, well ... that's a different story. I can't help but feel in my gut that these two foods clash.

Sure, pineapples are nutritious and all, but do they really belong on pizza? To anyone who likes this pizza topping, I hope I haven't offended anyone. The reason I bring it up is that it seems to be something about which people feel passionately one way or the other - which made me curious. If you enjoy pizza, please let me know what you think below. And if you should also have any thoughts regarding fresh vs. canned pineapple, I would appreciate them as well. (Looking back, the pizzas I tried were all made with el cheapo canned pineapples. Perhaps fresh pineapple would have made all the difference.)

Image credit: Photo of a pizza with pineapple topping by Simplicius

Do pineapples belong on pizza or in a fruitcup?

The first pizza of which I am aware that used pineapple as a topping goes back to the early 1960s with the invention of the Hawaiian pizza. Contrary to its name, this concoction did not originate in Hawaii but in Canada.

The first Hawaiian pizza that people could order in a restaurant was created in 1962 by brothers Sam and Nick Panopoulos who owned and operated the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. Their pizza had the usual mix of cheese and tomatoes, plus fresh chunks of ham and pineapple. Since then, many others have expanded upon this basic recipe, adding such toppings as banana peppers, mushrooms, olives, Canadian bacon, and even jalapenos.

Over the years, Hawaiian pizzas gradually made their way to other countries and have gained a large and loyal worldwide following, especially in Australia. Why do some people like Hawaiian pizza so much? Long used in actual Hawaiian cooking, ham and pineapples go well together. Also, pineapple contains bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme, which makes it an effective meat tenderizer. Placing pineapple chunks alongside the ham helps to make the meat tastier and more tender.

Surf rock was hugely popular in the early 1960s, with pop acts such as the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean bursting onto the scene, and it was this musical trend that inspired the Panopoulos brothers to create their first Hawaiian pizza.

Image credit: Simplicius

When it comes to pizza toppings, does fresh vs. canned pineapple make a difference?

If you ever need to cut your own pizza (whether frozen or homemade), you know what a royal pain it can be if you don't have the right tool. For years, I've been cutting my pizzas with an ordinary kitchen knife, and I'm thinking of buying something better where I don't have to struggle so hard. If you feel the same way, check out the pizza cutter below.

Here's another nifty item I came across at amazon.com. If you like to make your own pizza at home, or know someone who does, check this out.