As we journey through 2023, the pizza industry continues to be revolutionized with contemporary trends. At SparkTableCabin, it's our mission to track these culinary shifts that captivate pizza aficionados across the globe. Here are the top pizza toppings of the year that have caught our attention.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With gut health in the spotlight, fermented vegetables have found an unexpected place on top of pizzas. Lacto-fermented goodies like kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions bring a complex zestiness that perfectly counteracts the creamy cheese and rich sauce. Not only are these toppings gut-friendly due to their probiotic qualities, but they also add a novel texture to the classic pizza palate.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, for instance, incorporates homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and a sprinkling of gorgonzola cheese coupled with a honey sourced locally to soften the sharp flavors. While it might seem odd at first, this unique blend is rapidly becoming a customer favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has propelled a notable increase in pizzas adorned with innovative meat-free alternatives. Beyond typical veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins offer choices that appeal even to habitual carnivores.
We now offer toppings like vegan Italian sausage pieces, spiced tempeh, jackfruit prepared as pulled pork, and pea protein fashioned into pepperoni. These aren't just for those following plant-based diets; numerous customers opt for them due to their distinct tastes and the less heavy feeling they provide.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who like it hot, 2023 has seen a preference for unique regional chilies over standard red pepper flakes. Favorites like Calabrian chilies remain trendy, and now we're spotting a rise in the use of Aleppo pepper, Spanish smoky ñora chilies, Peruvian fruity aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Try our Worldly Spices pizza that offers a selection of these regional chilies, each lending its distinguishing taste to various portions of the pizza. This spicy journey has garnered popularity particularly among our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The forage-to-table concept is gaining traction as more chefs top their pizzas with seasonally gathered elements. Leading the trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing pizzas when in season.
Moreover, we've included items like spring ramps (wild leeks), sea plants like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to lend an unconventional aromatic twist. These foraged toppings not only offer distinct flavors but also connect those dining to the great outdoors in a way cultivated ingredients can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has found a permanent spot on pizzas, thanks to its capacity to enhance savory flavors. Continuing on hot honey's success from past years, there's been an emergence of unique honey variations for use as a final touch on pizzas in 2023.
Options such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey have become a common sight on pizzeria menus. These drizzles add a layer of complexity and transform even the simplest of pizzas to a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings that narrowly missed making our top picks but are still noteworthy include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely shredded on top of pizzas for a rich umami flavor
- Marinated fruits, particularly pit fruits such as peaches and plums
- Whole grain garnishes, adding crunch with ingredients like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Highbrow butter spots, especially those made from cultured milk or mixed with herbs
Whether you hold fast to time-honored favorites or are keen to explore novel taste pairings, pizza endures as a universally adaptable and cherished dish. At SparkTableCabin, we pay homage to the classics while also welcoming the new, which is why our menu is replete with both the archetypal Margherita and the avant-garde craft pies.
Have any of these modern toppings piqued your interest, or is there a particular combination you'd wish to encounter at our establishment? Share your thoughts in the comments, or drop by and let us know!