Food Poll - Do You Think Pizza Toppings Such As Mushrooms Anchovies And Pineapples Are Weird

What do you think about pizza with pineapples?

Here, let me give you a list of toppings on pizza:PepperoniMushroomsOlivesSausageCheesePeppersOnionsBaconSpinachIs there any thing there that says “pineapple”?No?No. I do not like pineapple on pizza.And honestly… God help the people that do.

What toppings do you find disgusting on pizza?

Abomination is a very strong word. Pizza toppings are trivial things, even if one is passionate about pizza.There are things I like on pizza that I never order on a take out pie, because the quality just isn’t good. Mushrooms and olives are the prime examples. I like both, but only when I make my own pizza using good quality ingredients. There is nothing more depressing than those tasteless, mushy, canned olives most places use instead of the real thing. Ditto for the mushrooms.Other than that, toppings are up to the individual. Everybody likes different flavors and textures, and none of them are worth getting up in arms about. I happen to be one of the no pineapple on pizza people, but that’s just me. If I’m with someone who likes it, we split the pie, get pineapple only on half, and each have it the way we like it.There are a lot of things in this world that I’m less laid back about, but pizza toppings? You get yours, I’ll get mine, and we’ll meet in the middle somewhere.

What are the best pizza toppings to get for a big group, i.e., what is a breakdown of toppings that will have enough variety to keep people interested while avoiding a plethora of leftovers?

This is a super-interesting and important question.I would add the following points to Steve Davis's terrific answer:In my experience, you can't go wrong with a simple distribution of cheese and cheese&pepperoni. If you need to order quickly, don't overthink this. I understand the worry -> will my guests be disappointed by the limited options? But I find that people are generally happy even when those are the only 2 choices. There is a lot of love for cheese and cheese&pepperoni. Plus, guests are so happy about the general existence of pizza that they are generally not concerned about the lack of variety.If you are confident that your group includes lots of meat-eaters, then adding sausage into the mix is often a winning play. If you are feeling frisky, meatball is also sometimes fun.With cheese, cheese&pepperoni and cheese&sausage, adding onion as an additional ingredient is often popular. Onions may alienate a small minority of onion-haters, but you will generate a lot of good feelings from the majority. There is something about onions that enhances the taste of pizza in a way that is very complementary / non-invasive. Note: mushrooms have a similar broad / complementary appeal as onions, although they are not as popular.In general (i.e., for most groups), you should get a couple of veggie pizzas. It's as much about respect as taste; many vegetarians appreciate the option, and in fact some will be put out if you don't include it.However, be careful about what toppings are on your veggie pizza. If you just order the standard veggie option from a pizza place, they will often include a wide range of vegetable types. The problem with vegetable diversity on a pizza is that each vegetable is disliked by some people. Therefore, the more veggie types you have, the smaller your addressable eater group is. This is why huge-variety veggie pizzas often sit uneaten at parties.If you get a veggie pizza, you should probably ask for no black olives, since many people hate them. (See Do most people like black olives on their veggie pizza? for a discussion page on this specific question.)Veggies that seem widely acceptable: onions, peppers, mushrooms. Less popular: olives, artichokes.

What are the most popular pizza toppings?

Crust thickness can vary, but I do not like crispy crust. Much like steak that is well-done, pizza crust with the consistency of a saltine cracker has no flavor. Sicilian crust can be a good option, or even Chicago style with thick edges is good too. Desired topics can vary. I will try anything once, even seemingly odd combinations. Veggie pizza is a favorite. In such cases, black olives must be present. No veggie is off limits, except maybe the cauliflower family.  Onions, peppers - rings, roasted, are great on pizza. Mushrooms really should be sauteed to bring out their flavor. Fresh 'shrooms are featureless when raw. All meats, except anchovies, are viable options. Sausage, however, should be ground like hamburger..not sliced. One can never go wrong with bacon, of course. Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple works, too. Cheese, or even extra cheese can work stand-alone. I'm not sure what cheeses were used but I had pizza in Rome and Assisi. The experience was far too beautiful to put into words. I believe that the toppings even included fried eggs. Everything, including the pizza, tasted so fresh. Coming back to the states, unfortunately, is a daily reminder that not every one takes pizza and cappucino making as seriously as it should be.

What are the best pizza toppings to get for a big group, i.e., what is a breakdown of toppings that will have enough variety to keep people interested while avoiding a plethora of leftovers?

This is a super-interesting and important question.I would add the following points to Steve Davis's terrific answer:In my experience, you can't go wrong with a simple distribution of cheese and cheese&pepperoni. If you need to order quickly, don't overthink this. I understand the worry -> will my guests be disappointed by the limited options? But I find that people are generally happy even when those are the only 2 choices. There is a lot of love for cheese and cheese&pepperoni. Plus, guests are so happy about the general existence of pizza that they are generally not concerned about the lack of variety.If you are confident that your group includes lots of meat-eaters, then adding sausage into the mix is often a winning play. If you are feeling frisky, meatball is also sometimes fun.With cheese, cheese&pepperoni and cheese&sausage, adding onion as an additional ingredient is often popular. Onions may alienate a small minority of onion-haters, but you will generate a lot of good feelings from the majority. There is something about onions that enhances the taste of pizza in a way that is very complementary / non-invasive. Note: mushrooms have a similar broad / complementary appeal as onions, although they are not as popular.In general (i.e., for most groups), you should get a couple of veggie pizzas. It's as much about respect as taste; many vegetarians appreciate the option, and in fact some will be put out if you don't include it.However, be careful about what toppings are on your veggie pizza. If you just order the standard veggie option from a pizza place, they will often include a wide range of vegetable types. The problem with vegetable diversity on a pizza is that each vegetable is disliked by some people. Therefore, the more veggie types you have, the smaller your addressable eater group is. This is why huge-variety veggie pizzas often sit uneaten at parties.If you get a veggie pizza, you should probably ask for no black olives, since many people hate them. (See Do most people like black olives on their veggie pizza? for a discussion page on this specific question.)Veggies that seem widely acceptable: onions, peppers, mushrooms. Less popular: olives, artichokes.

Does pineapple on pizza really taste that bad?

The thing is, people like what they like. Pineapple is a very controversial fruit by itself. Fresh pineapple has digestive properties to the insides of your mouth, the fruit that attempts to eat you first. (I eat it faster than it can eat me, so I am safe).There is the debate on pineapple pizza and there is the debate on swineapple (bacon wrapped and grilled pineapple):The thing is, you can’t stop people from liking what they like.So what it comes down to is three possibilities:It will taste really good and you will like it.It will taste really bad and you won’t like it.You will shrug it off and go back to whatever is your natural favorite indifferent to the great debate.Most people fall into 1 & 2. Surprisingly few fall into the indifferent category. It’s rather interesting.The pineapple on pizza debate is tearing us apartBut good news: pineapple isn’t alone.Pineapple on pizza and other polarizing food combinationsNever had honey on french fries, but I have had hot fudge.Controversial tastes are part of life.

What are the most hated pizza toppings?

I own a pizza place and the worst pizza we have to make contains the following: tuna, prawns, pepperoni, mushrooms, green chillies, donner kebab... And chicken. When this particular customer comes in, one person launches for the heavy duty extractor fan to be switched on to pump the stench out and another mentally prepares themselves for a potential migraine from the scent once cooked. Painful.