The king of pepperoni has been deposed!
We could write about pizza toppings every day because they're such a contentious topic. We reported on the curious new practice of putting pickle slices to pizza after a video from a Minnesota-based pie restaurant went viral. This year, we also discovered that Americans, particularly the elderly, despise anchovies on their pies. We, too, crave pepperoni, pure and simple, just like the rest of the country.
Pepperoni, on the other hand, is no longer the most popular topping in the world. According to Restaurant Business, Technomic interviewed thousands of consumers across 25 countries to discover the world's best toppings in its most recent pizza survey. Take a look at what they found.
1. Chicken and Ham
Chicken and ham tied for top place as the proteins of choice for 53 percent of participants.
2. Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni came in second place, with 43 percent of customers selecting this spicy topping.
3. Bacon
Bacon came in second with 41% of the vote. This recipe for Bacon Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Goat Cheese is a must-try
4. Salami
With 34% of the vote, salami was the next most popular option.
5. Tuna and Shrimp
There were even more insights regarding what toppings pizza consumers around the world prefer, which may or may not be compatible with American preferences. Shrimp and tuna were tied for first place, with 29 percent of respondents.
6. Other Proteins
Ground beef (32 percent), chorizo (23 percent), and duck were among the other unusual proteins (11 percent).