What fruit topping gives Hawaiian pizza its name?

Pineapple is the fruit topping that gives Hawaiian pizza its name.

The classic version combines pineapple with tomato sauce, cheese, and usually ham or bacon. The fruit’s sweetness contrasts with the salty, savoury toppings, which is one reason the style remains so recognizable—and so debated—among pizza eaters.

Despite its name, Hawaiian pizza was not created in Hawaii. Sam Panopoulos, a Greek-born Canadian restaurateur, introduced canned pineapple on pizza in 1962 at the Satellite Restaurant in Chatham, Ontario. He called the dish “Hawaiian” because the pineapple came from the Hawaiian Pineapple Company.

Pineapple is not the only fruit ever used on pizza. Earlier and alternative recipes have included ingredients such as papaya, but those are not what define the standard Hawaiian style. The key pairing is pineapple with ham or bacon, rather than a particular kind of crust or cheese.