Kiwi on pizza is a controversial and experimental food trend that gained attention in early 2020 after Stellan Johansson, a Swedish man, requested a custom pizza at Skottorps Pizzeria in southern Sweden, replacing pineapple with kiwi on a Hawaiian-style pizza. The resulting dish, dubbed "Pizza New Zealand," sparked global debate online, with reactions ranging from outrage to curiosity.
The flavor profile of kiwi on pizza is polarizing. Some taste tests, including one by The Guardian, found that kiwi adds a tangy, refreshing contrast to the salty ham and melted cheese, likening it to a smoothie bowl on a pizza. Others, such as a test by Twisted Food, described the cooked kiwi as turning into a mushy, acidic mess that overwhelmed the pizza with sharp, unpleasant juice and a gritty texture.