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The investigation has shown that residents of London are the foremost pizza lovers in the country, consuming an average of four pizzas each month, which is double the amount eaten by those in the South Eastern region. Among South Easterners, mozzarella emerges as the favored topping when a pizza urge strikes. Nevertheless, the study has also brought to light certain pizza consumption behaviors that are perceived as major deterrents, exposing the nation’s leading pizza pet peeves.
Pizza consumption habits: The most revolting practices
In reality, 40% of people acknowledged that their dining experience could be entirely spoiled if they observed someone engaging in these pizza faux pas while trying to relish their own slice. A poll of 2,000 adults exposed some of the most prevalent pizza no-nos. Predictably, pineapple secured the top spot in the contentious toppings discussion, with numerous Britons regarding it as a considerable cautionary sign.
Contentious toppings and their detractors
Other toppings that did not garner approval included fish, raw vegetables, and eggs. A third of participants found the latter especially unpalatable. Moreover, 32% of Brits agreed that ketchup should never be applied to pizza, whereas sweet additions like chocolate or Nutella were even less favored, with 41% outright rejecting such combinations.
Diverse crust preferences among pizza enthusiasts
When it comes to crust inclinations, viewpoints were split. Thin crust was the preferred choice for 31% of respondents, while 20% were inclined towards the extravagance of a stuffed crust.
The Lot Of Crosta Mollica’s Upcoming Event
Crosta Mollica conducted the research ahead of the debut of their special pop-up pizzeria, Il Leopardo, set to open in Shoreditch on the afternoon of May 16 and May 17th. For only £2.50, pizza aficionados can indulge in genuine Italian pizzas, but there’s a catch—this pop-up strictly adheres to conventional Italian pizza protocols.
Audacious diners attempting to add pineapple to their pizza may encounter an unforeseen reaction!
A word from the spokesperson
“There are numerous ways to consume a pizza—it seems the nation is divided. However, like many Britons, pineapple is the ultimate pizza pet peeve for us. Much like in Italy, there is no room for pineapple or ketchup at our pop-up pizzeria,” a representative for Crosta Mollica said in an official statement.
“Therefore, if patrons fail to adhere to tradition, they might have to face the repercussions of their culinary slip-ups. Nevertheless, our in-house topping advisor will be present to aid guests in crafting the perfect Italian pizza.”
The spokesperson concluded, “Our pop-up, Il Leopardo, will honor the artistry and skill of pizza-making and Italy’s fervor for flavor combined with elegance. So, if you’re yearning for a BBQ base or stuffed crust, this eatery isn’t for you. For us, there’s but one true way to consume pizza, and that’s the authentically Italian way.”
Regional pizza consumption variations
The survey unveiled some astonishing differences in how Britons savor their pizza. While 72% of respondents enjoy pizza in the traditional Italian manner, using their hands, 32% prefer a more refined approach with a knife and fork.
The East Midlands was identified as the region most likely to use utensils, in sharp contrast to their West Midlands counterparts, who are the least inclined to resort to a knife and fork.
Topping disagreements and sharing challenges
Regarding toppings, differing preferences can make sharing a challenge, with 24% of Britons admitting they struggle to agree on shared pizzas due to varying tastes. However, not everyone is open to sharing, as 27% confessed they dislike dividing their pizza.
Universal disapproval of certain pizza consumption behaviors
Certain pizza consumption behaviors, however, are nearly universally frowned upon. A fifth of respondents expressed their dismay at the idea of someone cutting a pizza into slices with scissors, while one-third would not hesitate to call out someone whose actions gave them the “icky” feeling.