10 Reasons Why Pineapple Doesn’t Belong on Pizza

To the fans of pineapple on pizza, sorry, but this post will probably annoy you. I believe that pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza, and I have at least ten reasons why to prove it to you.

If you are like me and are not a pineapple fan of pizza, then you would agree with the list below.

I understand that we have different taste buds and preferences, but pineapple does not belong on pizza because, traditionally, it simply just doesn’t!

Aside from tomatoes, no other fruit should be placed on a pizza. Pineapples can also overpower the other toppings on the pizza.

Tomatoes and pineapples are two acidic types of food. Double acidity is not a really good combination, and that is not only about pizza; it applies to almost any food.

So along with these reasons, I will detail the ten main reasons why you should not put pineapple on pizza.

F.Y.I- There is a hate club for this blasphemy on Reddit; let me know what you guys think.

Why Pineapple Does NOT Belong On Pizza

1. It Is Not Traditional!

Pizza is an age-old dish that has been perfected for centuries. There are practices and standards to follow when it comes to making pizzas.

First, fruits do not belong on the pizza except for tomatoes. Pineapples are great when eaten but do not pair well with other toppings.

Some may argue that it is cultural elitism, but no, it is about respecting the tradition and years of effort put into perfecting the dish.

Do you put peaches on your pizza? Neither do I, so why not have the same standards regarding pineapples?

2. Pineapples Do Not Pair Well With Other Toppings

Aside from ham, there is not much topping option you can pair with pineapples. Pineapple does not pair well with ground beef, sausages, or veggies.

I have tried pineapples on pizza, and while it counters the savory flavor of ham, it does not go well with the other ingredients on the pizza, including the sauce, cheese, and toppings.

Pineapples have a lot of sugar which is then caramelized when the pizza is cooked. This accentuates the sweetness of the pineapples.

When I tried eating pineapple on pizzas, the sweetness often masked the other flavors of the pizza.

3. Food Pairing Method

The food pairing method is a non-registered trademark that states that foods pair well together when they have the same key flavor profiles.

Sweet pineapples and salty pizzas don’t pair well. They counter each other, but mostly, the pineapple overpowers the saltiness of the pizza.

I admit, some pairings go well together with different flavors, like onions (sweet) and ground beef (savory), but pineapples are not at par with those as far as I am concerned.

4. Pineapples Do Not Mix With Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the only fruit that belongs on pizza. Pineapples and tomatoes do not mix well, mainly because they are both acidic.

Double acidity means that there is a high possibility of an upset stomach. It can be overwhelming, and it certainly is not pleasing.

The tomato sauce on the pizza has enough moisture to make the crust crispy. Adding succulent chunks of pineapple only tends to make the pizza soggy as well.

5. Pineapple And Cheese? No, Thank You.

Cheese might pair well with meat and other pizza toppings but certainly not with pineapples. Most pizzas use mozzarella cheese, and pineapples overpower the mild cheese.

Pineapples’ juicy and watery texture feels not so appetizing when paired with cheese’s buttery and salty flavors. It just doesn’t sit right with me.

Although the acidity of pineapples can somehow counteract the buttery flavors of cheese, you already have that from the tomato sauce on the pizza.

6. Pineapple Is Too Sweet

I look at pizza as savory food where I can sit and enjoy a meal with pizza as the main dish, not a dessert.

Pineapple has a lot of sugar, making it too sweet for pizza. This might be my preference, but savory pizza does not pair well with something too sweet, like pineapples.

The sweetness of pineapples might appeal to people with a sweet tooth, but you do not satisfy that sugar rush by eating pizza.

If I wanted dessert, I would not put something too sweet on my pizza, like pineapple chunks, especially canned ones with syrup.

7. It Can Make The Crust Soggy

As I have mentioned above, pineapples are succulent and juicy, which tends to make the pizza soggy, especially the crust.

Pizza sauce does not have a lot of moisture; even if it does, it should be just enough not to affect the crispiness of the crust when the pizza is cooked.

Adding something as juicy as pineapple chunks raise the moisture content of the pizza, which seeps through the crust and makes it soggy, no one likes soggy pizza, or at least I don’t.

When making pizza dough, 60% to 70% hydration needs to be followed to make it crispy. Pineapples only add moisture to the crust, making it chewy and soggy instead of crispy.

8. Pineapples Are Healthy But Not With Pizza

Pineapples are one of the healthiest and most delicious fruits when eaten alone. They have a lot of vitamins and minerals that can help give you a healthier body.

But do you know what else pineapples have a lot of? Sugar! Combining sugar with calories and carbs from the pizza is not the healthiest pairing.

Too much sugar is certainly not the best if you are conscious about your health and diet. Pineapples have a lot of sugar and are unhealthy when paired with too many carbs and calories.

9. It Is Not The Best Leftover Pizza Topping

Pepperonis, Italian sausage, salami, chicken, mushrooms, and olives are a few examples of pizza toppings that remain good when stored in the fridge.

Pineapple dries up when stored for a long time and when reheated, it becomes even worse. I tried this and was left with a fibrous and dry texture from the pineapple chunks.

If you like pineapple on pizza because of the juicy and succulent texture, you will not get that when you reheat the leftover Hawaiian pizza.

By the way, Hawaiian pizza is not from Hawaii; it was invented in Canada, so pineapple on pizza is already full of misconceptions.

10. Even The Experts Agree: Pineapple Does Not Belong On Pizza!

Many pro chefs and pizzaiolos agree that pineapple does not belong on pizza. Authentic Italian pizza places do not have pineapples on the menu.

Chef Gordon Ramsay firmly believes that pineapple does not belong on pizza and I agree since I do not like it, and no one argues with Gordon Ramsay.

Even Chef Bobby Flay, a chef known for the bold flavors on his dishes, disagrees that pineapple belongs on pizza.

So I have to stick with the pros and say that pineapple definitely does NOT belong on pizzas!

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!!