
Olives on pizza are a controversial topic. While some people enjoy the salty, savoury flavour they add to a pizza, others despise them, even going so far as to call them tires. In some places, like Algeria, olives are a common addition to cheese pizzas, which can be a culture shock for visitors. However, in other places, like the UK and Greece, olives are not as popular on pizzas, with some people expressing frustration at receiving pizzas with olives when they did not order them. Ultimately, whether or not olives belong on a cheese pizza comes down to personal preference, and it is up to the individual to decide if they want to include them as a topping.
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What You'll Learn
- Olives are a common pizza topping in some countries, but not in others
- Olives are a polarizing pizza topping
- Olives can be used to prevent cheese from sticking to the pizza box lid
- Olives are a good source of salty, bright flavor
- Some people find it annoying when pizza places put olives on a cheese pizza

Olives are a common pizza topping in some countries, but not in others
Olives are a beloved pizza topping for many, but they are more common in some countries than in others. In Algeria, for example, olives are a basic nutrient and a default pizza topping. Many people have reported that they received pizzas with olives on them when they had specifically ordered a plain cheese pizza. This came as a culture shock to some visitors from the US, who are not accustomed to this practice.
Olives are also commonly used as a pizza topping in Israel, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France, and the UK. In the UK, for instance, olives are usually one of the dozen or more pizza types available in most pizza places. However, one source mentions that they rarely recall anyone ordering it.
In the US, olives are not as popular as a pizza topping. In a YouGov poll, only 33% of respondents listed olives as a liked topping. Nevertheless, some Americans do enjoy olives on their pizza, and they are commonly available as an option in many places.
Olives have a salty, bright flavor, and they are one of the key ingredients in Mediterranean cuisine. They can be used in various dishes, including pasta, salads, and focaccia. When used as a pizza topping, they are often paired with other ingredients such as mushrooms, feta cheese, pepperoni, sausage, and green peppers. Some people also add spices, mozzarella, parsley, and garlic powder to their olive pizzas.
Overall, while olives may be considered a common pizza topping in some countries, such as Algeria and Israel, they are not as widely accepted in others, like the US.
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Olives are a polarizing pizza topping
Olives are a popular pizza topping in several countries, including the UK, Greece, and Israel. In a YouGov poll, 33% of respondents listed olives as a liked topping, making it the 12th most popular pizza topping. However, despite their popularity, olives on pizza can be a divisive topic, with some people expressing strong dislike for them.
Some people who dislike olives on pizza find their taste too overpowering or salty. Others may simply have a personal preference for other toppings. In addition, the quality of the olives used can significantly impact their taste; low-quality canned olives, for example, are often criticised for tasting like metal.
For olive enthusiasts, however, the salty, savoury flavour of olives can enhance the overall taste of the pizza. Olives can also add a nice texture contrast to the cheese and other toppings. Some people specifically enjoy black olives, while others prefer green olives, Kalamata olives, or Spanish green olives.
Whether you love them or hate them, olives are a versatile ingredient that can be used in various dishes, including pizzas, pastas, salads, and focaccia. They are a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and are known for their bright, salty flavour. When used as a pizza topping, olives can be paired with other ingredients such as mushrooms, feta cheese, pepperoni, or anchovies to create unique flavour combinations.
So, while olives may be a polarizing pizza topping, they certainly add an interesting dimension to the classic cheese pizza.
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Olives can be used to prevent cheese from sticking to the pizza box lid
Olives are a common pizza topping, especially in the UK, Greece, and Algeria. They are often used on pizzas with a lot of cheese to prevent the cheese from sticking to the pizza box lid. While some people enjoy the salty, savoury flavour that olives bring to a pizza, others dislike them as a topping.
Olives are a polarising pizza topping. Some people enjoy the salty, savoury flavour that olives impart, while others find them unappetising. Olives are commonly used as a topping on pizzas with a lot of cheese. In fact, one of the reasons for their inclusion may be to prevent the cheese from sticking to the pizza box lid. This practical application may be one of the reasons why olives are so commonly included on pizzas, especially in places like the UK, Greece, and Algeria.
In these places, it is typical to find olives as a default pizza topping. In Algeria, for instance, it is common for pizza places to include olives on cheese pizzas, which can be frustrating for those who do not like this topping. However, it is worth noting that the inclusion of olives may serve a functional purpose beyond simply being a topping.
Olives can help prevent the cheese from sticking to the box, ensuring that the pizza arrives intact and is easier to handle. This is especially important for pizzas with a lot of cheese, as the weight of the cheese can cause it to stick to the box more easily. By placing olives in the centre of the pizza, where the cheese is typically the thickest, they can act as a barrier between the cheese and the box, reducing the chances of the cheese sticking.
While some people may not enjoy the taste of olives, their inclusion on pizzas, especially those with abundant cheese, can serve a practical purpose. By preventing the cheese from sticking to the box, olives can help ensure that the pizza arrives in better condition and is easier to handle and serve. This may be particularly important for pizza delivery services, where the box may be jostled during transport, increasing the chances of the cheese sticking to the lid.
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Olives are a good source of salty, bright flavor
Olives are a good source of salty, bright flavour. They are a key ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, and their salty taste can complement a sweet pizza sauce. Olives are also commonly used as a topping on veggie pizzas and are available as an extra topping or as part of a choose-your-own-toppings option.
Olives are a popular pizza topping in several countries, including Israel, Greece, and the UK. In Algeria, olives are considered a basic nutrient and are commonly added to cheese pizzas. While some people enjoy the salty flavour of olives on their pizzas, others dislike them and consider them an unwelcome addition to their pizza orders.
Olives can be used as a topping on a variety of pizza styles, including vegetarian pizzas and those with meat toppings such as pepperoni or sausage. They can be combined with other toppings like mushrooms, feta cheese, and green or red peppers. Some people prefer black olives, while others opt for Kalamata, Spanish green, or marinated spicy olives.
When using olives as a pizza topping, it is essential to use good-quality pitted olives to enhance the flavour and texture of the pizza. Olives can be combined with other ingredients such as mozzarella, oregano, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper to create a delicious and crispy vegetarian pizza.
Overall, olives provide a salty, bright flavour that can enhance the taste of a cheese pizza and make it more appetising for those who enjoy this particular flavour profile.
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Some people find it annoying when pizza places put olives on a cheese pizza
Olives are a common pizza topping in several countries, including Israel, Greece, the UK, and Algeria. In Algeria, olives are considered a basic nutrient and are often included in cheese pizzas. However, some people find it annoying when pizza places put olives on a cheese pizza, especially when they specifically requested a plain cheese pizza. This can be frustrating, as removing the olives may result in losing a significant amount of cheese as well.
While olives are a popular topping for some, others find them unappealing. Some people may dislike the taste or texture of olives, or they may find that the strong flavor of olives overpowers the other toppings. In addition, low-quality canned olives can have an unpleasant taste, resembling metal or rust.
Olives have a salty, bright flavor and are considered a key ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. They can be used to enhance various dishes, such as pasta, salad, or focaccia. On pizzas, olives are often paired with other toppings like mushrooms, feta cheese, pepperoni, or green peppers. Some people believe that the combination of sweet and savory flavors is essential for a well-balanced pizza.
Despite the annoyance of finding unwanted olives on their cheese pizza, customers can take matters into their own hands. They can be proactive by clearly communicating their preference for a plain cheese pizza without olives. In addition, if olives are included, they can be easily removed with fingers, causing minimal disruption to the rest of the pizza.
While the inclusion of olives on cheese pizzas may be a cultural norm in certain regions, it is essential to respect individual preferences. Customers should feel empowered to communicate their topping choices clearly, and pizza places should strive to accommodate these requests whenever possible. Ultimately, the presence of olives on a cheese pizza is not inherently bad, but it can be annoying for those who do not enjoy this particular topping.
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Frequently asked questions
Whether or not cheese pizza with olives is bad is a matter of personal preference. While some people enjoy the salty, savoury flavour that olives add to a pizza, others dislike them.
Some people find that olives can be too salty or overpowering, or that they do not pair well with other toppings. Others simply may not enjoy the taste of olives in general.
Olives are a popular pizza topping in many places, especially in the Mediterranean region. People who like olives on pizza may enjoy the salty, savoury flavour that olives add, or the way they pair with other toppings.
Other common pizza toppings include pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and pineapple.

























