Why do they scoff at pineapple pizza? Learning from Italians: How to enjoy authentic pizza
Recently, Hong Kong's fencing star Cheung Ka-long defeated Italian fencer Filippo Macchi to win the gold medal in the individual foil event at the Paris Olympics.
Following this victory, some foreign netizens allegedly accused him on social media of "stealing" Foconi's medal.
In response, Hong Kong netizens took a jab at the Italians by referencing their dislike for pineapple pizza.
Pizza Hut even capitalized on the moment by launching the "Pineapple No. 1" promotion, offering free pineapple toppings on any pizza for dine-in customers at all locations for two days.
So why is pineapple pizza such a taboo for Italians? Let's delve into the complex relationship between Italians and pineapple pizza.
What Does Pizza Mean to Italians?
For Italians, pizza is a traditional cultural staple, even considered a national treasure. They often look down on the myriad flavors of "American pizza," viewing the addition of pineapple as an affront to pizza culture.
Authentic Italian Pizza Margherita is made simply with flour, tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, salt, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil, baked to perfection. Its straightforward flavor and authentic texture reflect the humble origins of Italian cuisine, making pizza deeply significant to Italians.
Why Do Italians Dislike Pineapple Pizza?
Understanding the traditional pizza-making method explains why Italians scoff at pineapple or Hawaiian pizza.
Authentic pizza is meant to be simple, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Strong-flavored toppings are kept to a minimum. Canned pineapple, which is not fresh and soaked in syrup, overwhelms the delicate balance of flavors in the pizza, masking the taste of tomatoes, cheese, herbs, and the crust itself.
It's akin to adding strawberry jam to a plate of Hong Kong-style roasted meat rice and calling it "American culture"—something Hongkongers would find incomprehensible. Italians would rather go hungry than eat "foreign pizza," seeing it as a matter of respect for their local culture.
Who Invented This Dish?
The exact origin of pizza is unclear, but it is said that the first person to add pineapple to pizza was Sam Panopoulos, a Greek chef who moved to Canada.
In the 1960s, he and his friends opened a pizza restaurant and, out of curiosity and a desire to attract customers, decided to experiment by adding canned pineapple to pizza.
Initially, patrons were hesitant about the unusual flavor, but it unexpectedly became popular and was subsequently named "Hawaiian pizza," after the brand of canned pineapple used.
Is Pineapple Pizza Really the Most Hated?
A 2022 survey by the UK polling website YouGov investigated Italians' acceptance of "innovative" approaches to Italian cuisine in other countries. Pineapple pizza ranked third, with 77% of Italians disapproving.
But what topped the list?
The survey identified the top three unacceptable practices as "dipping pasta in ketchup," "cooking pasta in cold water," and the infamous "pineapple pizza." YouGov labeled these behaviors "food crimes," violating Italians' understanding of culinary traditions.
Learning from Italians: How to Enjoy Authentic Pizza
Can Pizza Be Shared?
For Italians, pizza is not party food; it's a personal meal akin to having rice or noodles. Each person has their favorite toppings, and they prefer individual portions rather than sharing a large pizza, as is common in Hong Kong.
Is There a North-South Divide in Pizza?
Italian pizza varies between the north and south.
Southern Italian pizza tends to be softer and more elastic, while northern styles, like those from Milan, feature thinner, crispier crusts.
However, Italians universally regard Neapolitan pizza from Naples as the gold standard, holding it in high esteem.
Authentic Neapolitan pizza has strict guidelines, including a maximum center thickness of 3mm and a crust thickness of no more than 2cm, making it easy for toppings to fall off when served hot.
How Should Pizza Be Eaten?
Typically, pizza purchased from Italian pizzerias arrives uncut. Italians use a knife and fork to cut the pizza to their desired size, then roll it inward to eat, preventing toppings from falling out. This is why pizza restaurants in Italy provide utensils.
Do Italians Eat the Crust?
Eating an entire pizza can fill, so do Italians eat the crust?
They leave the crust until last, as the toppings are best enjoyed hot. After finishing the center, they savor the crust as a snack during conversation.
If someone can't finish the crust, it's perfectly acceptable to leave it on the plate or in the box.
Related News:
Comment