By Shrina Dong '24
Welcome to your starter pack of controversial food opinions, where I judge several topics that have been debated in the casual culinary world that may make half of you despise both me and my palate.
Pineapple on Pizza: You can’t talk about controversial food opinions without mentioning pineapple on pizza, with Chef Gordon Ramsay himself pitching into the age-long debate, saying, “pineapple does not go on top of pizza.” However, I would like to strongly disagree. One of the reasons I order pineapple as a topping on pizza is because pineapple pairs well with other toppings, like chicken and ham. Although some think that fruit on pizza doesn’t work, the sweet flavor of the pineapple and the cool interior provides a refreshing complement to the usually savory pie.
Avocados: I’m sorry, I just don’t get the hype around them. They’re bland and have an unpleasant baby food consistency, which is why you may have noticed that avocado is almost always paired with some type of seasoning to compensate for its lack of flavor. Considering the steep price of $2 per avocado, you’d think they would always be ripe, but they never seem to be ripe at the right time. And how could we forget the recent obsession with avocado toast that has taken the internet by storm? Its popularity is no doubt tied with an increased focus on wellness and even though I can't deny its nutritional value over a bowl of sugary cereal, I can’t help but wonder if it’s worth the $10 for a piece of bread topped with mushy, mealy, green chunks.
White & Dark Chocolate: White chocolate isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be. In spite of it being on the sweeter side, it still makes a great treat for those with an extra sweet tooth. Although some don’t consider it an actual type of chocolate because it doesn’t contain cocoa solids, arguing over the nomenclature of whether or not it’s chocolate is a tiring debate. Still, I can’t exactly say that I like dark chocolate either. It’s bitter and has a chalky texture that is disagreeable to the mouth. People say that it is a healthier option, and while I acknowledge that, I more strongly believe that chocolate was never intended to be something eaten everyday, unlike the habit surrounding dark chocolate. With this in mind, I value chocolate’s taste over its nutritional value.
Pop Tarts: While this may not be deemed as controversial as the previous opinions, I have stayed away from Pop Tarts since my first memory of trying them, even four years later. On a sunny morning in 2018, I decided to try the frosted strawberry flavor, thinking it would be a great breakfast choice especially with iconic, classic branding of a crisp, refreshing morning pastry. After biting into the pastry, I was disappointed by not only the artificial sweetness of the filling, but also the soggy crust. Ultimately, the pastry barely left me satiated, especially after scraping off the flaky, repulsive frosting.
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