One of the students asked Jóhannesson his opinion on this cheesy topic and he didn’t mince words, according to Visier, an Icelandic language news website.
The president told the student he was firmly opposed to pineapple on pizzas. He added, perhaps with a tongue in his cheek (not a pineapple), that it is only the fact that he’s not allowed to pass laws that is keeping him from banning it entirely.
He later clarified he doesn’t hate pineapple all the time, just on pizza.
Advertisement
Jóhannesson’s willingness to stick his neck out on a serious issue, no matter the consequences, is earning him support in some pizza-eating quarters.
Iceland's President is the hero we all need right now... #pineappleonpizza
Back in 1962, restaurant owner Sam Panopoulos decided to mix ham with canned pineapple on his pie to see how it would taste.
“People said ‘You are crazy to do this,’” Panopoulos told the website. To the surprise of many, it became a hit.
Jóhannesson’s issues against pineapple gets sympathy from Giacomo Pizzigoni, who owns Ambrogio15 pizzeria in San Diego.
“I feel chefs should be free to experiment, but I think pineapple is a horrible topping for pizza,” he told HuffPost by email. “It is extremely sweet, and what’s worse is that it is served over tomato sauce. Red sauce does not go well with sweet ingredients.
Steve Green, who publishes pizza industry magazine PMQ, doesn’t understand why pineapple pizza gets the Icelandic president so cheesed off.
Advertisement
“Being against pineapple pizza is like being against Santa Claus,” Green told the Huffington Post. “There’s really nothing that won’t work on a pizza.”
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.