Each year unveils fresh pizza topping trends, and 2023 has several noteworthy additions. At BrightPlayTerra, we keep a close watch on global preferences in pizza flavors. Here are this year's top five trending toppings that are delighting pizza aficionados.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to digestive wellness introduces fermented veggies to the pizza scene, making them an unexpected favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with a distinctive sour zest that beautifully contrasts cheese and tomato sauce. These fermented fixings aren't just tasty; they contribute beneficial probiotics and offer new textural experiences to the pizza-eating ritual.
Fermentation Fiesta is our new pizza variant featuring our own sauerkraut and kimchi along with gorgonzola cheese, crowned with a sweet drizzle of local honey to harmonize the flavors. This unconventional mix is swiftly becoming a top request among our patrons.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise of vegan dining has led to a significant spike in plant-based protein toppings for pizzas. Moving beyond the usual veggies, these innovative alternatives are satisfying even staunch carnivores.
Among the plant-based choices gracing our menu are Italian sausage substitutes from plant sources, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein imitations of pepperoni. These proteins cater to more than vegetarians, attracting customers for their distinctive flavors and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice are now opting for distinct regional chili varieties over standard pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still in demand, but we're also noticing the use of unique spices like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang in pizza recipes.
Our Spice Explorer pie boasts a mix of four varied regional chilies, each lending its exclusive taste to the pie's different sections. It's a fiery journey favored by our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started with farm-to-table has extended into forage-to-pizza, with seasonal wild ingredients finding their way onto pizzas. Leading this movement are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and maitake, spotted when in season.
Other foraged elements we're bringing to our pizzas include wild ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural ingredients offer unique flavors that cannot be replicated by cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Sweetness infused by honey on a savory pizza is now much more than a simple fad. The ongoing appreciation for gourmet honey types has led to various kinds being used as a final flourish on pizzas this year.
Exotic varieties like truffle honey, garlic-infused honey, mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey are distinguishing options on numerous menus. These toppings provide intricate flavors and transform even the most basic pizzas into culinary delights.
Honorable Mentions
There are additional toppings that nearly made the cut, still worth mentioning:
- Fine shavings of cured egg yolks over the pizza for a velvety finish
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as apricots and cherries
- Ancient grains for texture, like crispy spelt or popped sorghum
- Spots of artisan butter, both cultured and herbed varieties
Whether you're a devotee of classic choices or someone eager to explore unconventional pairings, pizza remains infinitely adaptable and universally adored. BrightPlayTerra pays homage to timeless classics while also introducing modern, inventive selections, ensuring there's something for everyone on our menu.
Have any of these contemporary toppings graced your palate? Or do you have a distinctive top choice you're eager to see us include? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!