Pepperoni, roast chicken, and the controversial pineapple, are among the most ordered additional pizza toppings, Domino’s has revealed. This year, there were a staggering 8,062,682 requests for extra pepperoni, and 6,641,509 for roast chicken, at the chain’s 1,200-plus outlets.
And despite the fierce debate about pineapple on pizza, there were 3,633,505 orders for more of it – making the topping more popular than extra cheese, and jalapenos.
Research of 2,000 adults, commissioned by the high-street pizza chain, also found there remains a firm divide as to whether the fruit belongs on the Italian delicacy.
Nearly half (48 percent) said the exotic fruit does have a place on a pizza – with 30 percent disagreeing, and the remaining 22 percent indifferent to the debate.
Pineapple even adds to the notorious North-South divide – with South Wales, particularly the town of Caerphilly, adding the most pineapple across the nation per capita, the internal data showed.
Meanwhile, Northerners stand against pineapple, with Sunderland and South Shields adding the least per capita.
Tastes vary drastically across the nation, with the North West handling their heat as hot sauce fanatics, more than any other region (16 percent) – while their North East neighbours prefer the cool and classic garlic and herb dip as the ultimate crust dunker.
Yorkshire and The Humber stick to traditions with a tomato sauce base, but those in Northern Ireland get more adventurous when they need a post-hangover pick-me-up.
And London consumes more pizza than any other region, with the average person tucking in to it three times a month. However, the South East takes first place for the biggest single order – a dizzying 1,163 pizzas.
Sam Wilson, of Domino’s, said: “Unboxing the UK’s pizza preferences has been as delightful and exciting as opening the lid on your favourite meal.
“Not only have we uncovered the country’s favourite pizza choices, but we might finally have an answer to the question that pizza fans have argued over for decades – does pineapple belong on pizza?
“And all thanks to the people of Caerphilly. Not only do they make cracking cheese, but they know their pizza toppings, too.
“Whether it’s pineapple or no pineapple, pepperoni or plain old cheese and tomato, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy your pizza. If anything, the research highlights there’s more ways than ever to enjoy a slice of the action.
“As a proven mood-booster on match days, or satisfying the weird and wonderful tastes of the nation, it can’t be denied pizza is the ultimate crowd pleaser.”
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Figures revealed close to a billion slices of pizza have been devoured this year from Domino’s stores alone.
And Brits are also prone to crave the savoury snack for a much-needed mood booster, with the busiest day within the last year revealed to be December 10, 2022 – the day England lost to France at the men’s football World Cup – when more than 600,000 pizzas were ordered.
It comes after the research, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed some would be willing to try more unusual toppings – such as smoked salmon and cream cheese (22 percent), beetroot and goats’ cheese (20 percent), and macaroni and cheese (19 percent).
And as the festive season approaches, 15 percent even said they wouldn’t mind a bit of reindeer meat adorning the doughy goodness.
Strange pizza-eating habits include scraping the toppings off and eating them separately to the rest of the dish, eating pizza followed by a scoop of ice-cream, and turning the leftovers into soup.
Sam Wilson, of Domino’s, added: “Whatever’s on your slice – whether it’s sweetcorn, pineapple, or even tuna – we love to see our fans make it their own, and that includes how they’re dunking.
“We love creating new and amazing flavours, and will keep inventing them to satisfy the growing taste of our customers.”
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