Pineapple On A Burger Vs. Pizza: What's More Divisive?

If you live in the 21st century, then you're likely familiar with crucial debate topics, such as whether Ross and Rachel from "Friends" were actually on a break or whether it's ever acceptable to eat pizza with a fork. Food debates often cause a special kind of uproar. While Hawaiian pizza was first introduced in the 1960s in Canada, the debate over whether pineapple belongs on pizza remains a controversial subject that world leaders, celebrities, and the public love to weigh in on. A popular Australian go-to — pineapple on a burger — appears to be generating some debate as well. Sometimes dubbed an "Aussie burger" or a "hula burger," people are now discussing whether pineapple belongs on a burger too. So is the pineapple-on-pizza or pineapple-on-burger duo causing more chaos?

According to People, a 2022 study found that 44% of Americans believe that pineapple belongs on pizza. The divisive pineapple-on-pizza debate has seemingly "broke the Internet" several times. In 2017, an Arizona teen shared a viral tweet illustrating that she had ordered her pizza with pineapple but the chef refused to put it on there. She received the pizza with a refund and a note that said, "Couldn't bring myself to put pineapple on it. That's gross. Sorry." The post was retweeted over 60,000 times. One Twitter user, @ShahdBatal, wrote, "I honestly believe if you don't like pineapple pizza it just means your taste buds aren't mature enough yet and that is ok." But another, @FB_FilmAnalysis, disagreed, saying, "What a saint."

The pineapple-on-pizza debate blew up after Icelandic President Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson responded to a student's question about whether he supports the pizza topping during a high school talk. The president said that if he had the power, he would ban the topping in Iceland. After this declaration, one pineapple on pizza fan shipped Hawaiian pizza to Iceland's London Embassy with a message written on the box: "LONG LIVE THE PINEAPPLE PIZZA." The embassy tweeted, "Many thanks to the loyal supporters of #pineappleonpizzas for this delivery today, along with a clear message!" Former President Barack Obama appeared to side with Jóhannesson, saying on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," "No pineapple. I'm from Hawaii and I know you can't have pineapple on a pizza. That's just wrong." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau disagrees. His 2017 tweet reads, "I have a pineapple. I have a pizza. And I stand behind this delicious Southwestern Ontario creation. #TeamPineapple @Canada." 

On his talk show, Jimmy Kimmel stated, "Pineapples do not belong on pizza. I don't care where you're from. Any pizza that tastes better with pineapple wasn't a good pizza. [...] It's not even a pizza. It's like a pizza colada." Gordon Ramsay hates the combo so much, he only ate it for charity. Paris Hilton shared her thoughts with People and said, "I actually like it. I love Hawaiian pizza." Between its role on the world stage and the publicity surrounding it, the pineapple on pizza debate rages on.

If you're from the U.S., a search for whether pineapple belongs on a burger will likely reveal several articles about "Aussie burgers." Generally, the Australian-style burger is known for having beets, grilled pineapple, mayo, and an egg. In the U.S., a former McDonald's executive also suggested serving pineapple on a bun, though this version, dubbed the "hula burger," meant for non-meat eaters, lacked a burger, and epically failed.

Australian Reddit threads address the debate over whether or not pineapple belongs on a burger. In a 106-comment discussion, one Redditor, u/internerd91, wrote, "No. Love burgers, love pineapple. Not together. Don't put it on Pizza either." A pro-pineapple user, u/DONT-GIVE-A-HOOT-SON, added, "I like a small amount of pineapple. Not to the point where you take a bite and suddenly a great flood has begun on the burger though." Aussie-based chain Grill'd asked Facebook users, "Does pineapple REALLY belong in a burger?" Responses were mixed, ranging from "F*** no, pineapple on a burger, its a f****** joke mate [...] might as well put a bit of rockmellon or some bloody grapes on it" to "Yes – let it stand with pride nestled against the beetroot!"

While pineapple's role on a burger is divisive, it hasn't generated as much talk internationally. Perhaps if more global chains introduce "hula" or "Aussie" burgers, the topic will divide the globe just as much as pineapple on pizza has. But for now, the Land Down Under appears to have that topic covered.