Pizza Bites: The World’s Most Controversial Pizza Was Invented in Canada
7/7/20267 min
Welcome to the first installment of Pizza Bites, a new series from Eating History featuring short stories from the evolution of pizza. This week, Adrienne and Stephen tackle one of the culinary world's most polarizing debates: pineapple on pizza. From an international controversy involving Iceland’s proposed ban to its true origins in Canada, they explore how a 1960s experiment by a Greek immigrant sparked a global phenomenon.
In this episode:
- The international pineapple-on-pizza controversy, from Iceland to Canada
- How Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos invented this variety at the Satellite Restaurant
- The mid-century food trends that drove sweet-and-savory flavor combinations
- Why the name "Hawaiian" comes from a canned fruit brand, not the state
- The transformation of Hawaiian pizza from a local curiosity to a global staple
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsStephen Bailey· Host0:00
A few years ago, the president of Iceland made an announcement. If he had the power, he said, he would ban pineapple pizza. Not tax it, not regulate it, ban it. And the comment caused really a bit of an international incident, because the prime minister of Canada quickly stepped in to defend pineapple pizza. And believe it or not, he really had no choice. And the reason why is because millions of people blame or credit Hawaii for pineapple pizza, whereas the truth is much, much stranger. It was invented in Canada by a Greek immigrant. Welcome to Eating History, where we explore the foods that changed the world. I'm Stephen Bailey, a history enthusiast who loves to eat.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host0:38
And I'm Chef Adrienne Cheatham, a food expert who loves to history. If you listened to episode seven of our pizza season, you might remember that we briefly mentioned this Iceland-Canada pizza feud, but we only briefly touched on it then. Today, we've got the time to tell you the whole story. [upbeat music] Before we jump in, we have a surprise for you, History Eaters. If you've already finished our eight-part season on the history of pizza, you might be wondering what happens next.
Stephen Bailey· Host1:10
I mean, I'm wondering.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host1:11
[laughs] Well, the answer is, we are not going anywhere.
Stephen Bailey· Host1:15
Yay.
Adrienne Cheatham· Host1:15
[laughs] Over the next few months, Steve and I are gonna release a brand-new five to 10-minute Pizza Byte every single week, right up until the premiere of season two, where we explore a whole new food topic. So even though the official pizza season is