Pineapple, olives, and chicken are the most controversial having both adamant fans and fervent detractors. According to YouGov, 12 percent of Americans who eat pizza consider pineapple to be one of their three favorite toppings, but more than double that amount (24 percent) report it is among their least favorites. Interestingly enough these numbers shift somewhat based on region: 17 percent of West Coasters (including Hawaii residents) include pineapple in their top picks while 29 percent of Northeasterners consider it a least favorite.
Age also plays a part. Fifteen percent of young adults (18–34) favor pineapple, but 28 percent of those 55 or older put it at the bottom of topping choices.
“What I found especially interesting was how consumers’ preferences and aversions differed by age,” says Larry Shannon-Missal, head of U.S. data services for YouGov. “Older consumers have more old-school tastes, with sausage and mushrooms enjoying broader popularity among older eaters. Meanwhile, chicken, bacon, and, yes, pineapple are more popular among younger consumers.”