A new study has revealed Ireland's favourite pizza toppings with Pepperoni taking first place.
Dutch lifestyle magazine Dailybase analysed the number of monthly searches in Ireland for 50 different pizza toppings, including terms such as "[x] pizza", "[x] pizza topping" and "where to buy [x] pizza".
1. Pepperoni
Pepperoni has an average of 681.67 monthly searches in Ireland. The cured meat is a type of salami, made from pork or a combination of pork and beef. Paprika and chilli are the main spices found in pepperoni, but it can also contain black pepper, garlic, and mixed herbs.
2. Anchovy
Anchovy has 460.83 average monthly searches. A small, oily fish, anchovies are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, making them highly beneficial for both your body and your brain. Their salty, umami packed flavour makes them a bold but tasty pizza topping.
3. Mozzarella
Mozzarella is searched for an average of 277.50 times a month. Made of cow or buffalo milk, this semi-soft cheese is known for its subtle flavour and stretchy texture when melted. It is the main component of the classic Margherita pizza.
4. Nduja
In Ireland, Nduja has an average of 215.83 monthly searches. It is a spicy, spreadable sausage from Italy that has gained worldwide popularity in the last few years. Combined with a drizzle of hot honey, this duo adds the perfect amount of heat and sweetness to your pizza.
5. Pesto
Pesto is searched for, on average, 194.17 times a month. Pesto is a paste made of crushed basil leaves, pine nuts, parmesan or pecorino cheese, garlic, and oil. It can be used as a base to your pizza or placed on top with other toppings.
Daniël de Voer, chief editor of Dailybase, has commented on the findings:
"One of the reasons why pizza is so popular is how versatile it can be; you can completely customise your toppings to fit your tastes and create a pizza unique to you.
"It is fascinating to discover which toppings are the most popular in each country. We can see plenty of influence from different cuisines across Europe, not just from Italy, such as the Mediterranean with the additions of feta, olives, and fish and even Turkish food, like doner meat making the list in some areas.
"With summer in full swing, if there's a topping on the list you haven't tried before, now is the perfect time to see what the hype is about."
