Swedes mix sweet with savory in controversial banana pizza

Swedish cuisine is mainly known for meatballs with potatoes and sauce, as well as herring, but another controversial delicacy is gaining attention—Swedish pizza with unusual toppings. We're talking about Africana, whose ingredients would make any Italian's heart skip a beat. However, Swedes are proud and eagerly order this adventurous delicacy at local pizzerias.

Swedes enjoy interesting combinations, and it shows in their pizza choices. While the base of dough and sauce may resemble other versions, the toppings are what truly set Swedish pizza apart. They are often surprising and even controversial. Besides classics like Margherita and pepperoni, the Swedish menu includes unusual compositions that some internet users consider culinary mistakes.

One of the most popular pizzas in Sweden is the Africana—in addition to tomatoes and cheese, it contains banana slices, curry, and peanuts, and sometimes pieces of chicken are added. This combination of sweet and salty flavors is quite characteristic of Swedish cuisine.

Some say it's a taste of heaven, while others cringe at the mere mention of its flavor. There are even bold voices claiming it's among the worst things they've ever eaten.

The eccentricity of Swedish pizzas doesn't end with fruits. In Sweden, you can find many bizarre pizzas such as pizza with kebab and fries, pizza with steak and egg, and even pizza with a hamburger and fries, like the Calskrovepizza from the city of Skellefteå. It looks a bit like a calzone, but when cut open, it reveals a full fast-food set in all its glory.

These bold flavor combinations can be surprising and sometimes even controversial. However, as they say, taste is subjective. What may seem bizarre to some could be delicious to others. It's somewhat like pickles, which many foreigners find distasteful and spoiled.

Some of these combinations may be surprising, but it's definitely worth trying them to personally assess whether we like them.