As each new year introduces fresh culinary shifts in the pizza realm, so does 2023. At SilverDuneVista, our commitment involves tracking the flavors that captivate pizza aficionados internationally. Below is a synopsis of the pizza toppings that are currently the rave this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Insights into digestive well-being have infiltrated pizza parlors, with fermented veggies taking center stage as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Additions like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bestowing intricate sour notes that balance out the creamy cheeses and sauces. Besides offering probiotic advantages, these toppings also introduce a novel textural element to the conventional pizza.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is garnished with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and bleu cheese, and is perfected with a local honey drizzle to offset the sourness. While it may seem unconventional, its rapidly becoming a frequent request amongst our exceptional pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The movement towards plant-centric diets persists in expansion, leading to a surge in demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Beyond typical veggies, advancements in plant protein offerings have resulted in choices that can entice even staunch carnivores.
Variants like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavor-infused tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein crafted to resemble pepperoni are now staples on our menu. These options attract not only vegetarians but also customers interested in distinct tastes and a less heavy post-meal feeling.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spicy flavors are celebrating, as 2023 witnesses pizza lovers seeking out specific chili types rather than the generic crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies continue to hold sway from the previous seasons, but now we are witnessing the emergence of Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on various pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza is a concoction of four different chilies from around the world, each adding its distinct flavor to separate quarters of the pizza. It's a fiery journey favored by our most daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The transition from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza is gaining traction with the rising interest in foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading the trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods surfacing on pizzas during their natural seasons.
We've also been experimenting with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea herbs like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their unique fragrant aspect. These fresh elements forge a connection between consumers and the outdoor environment, offering tastes that cultivated items can't replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The blend of sweet and savory flavors brought by honey has secured its role beyond a fleeting fad. Following the trend of spicy honey, this year has presented an outburst of unique honey types being drizzled on pizzas before serving.
Assorted honeys such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are seen in eateries nationwide. These final touches introduce a layer of complexity and transform even basic pizza combinations into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Not quite making our top five but still causing a stir are the following toppings:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza like delicate cheese
- Pickled fruits, with a penchant for stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, for instance, crispy farro or popped sorghum adding texture
- Handcrafted butter portions (in particular, cultured or herbed butter creations)
Whether you cling to conventional tastes or you're an explorer of bold new flavor combinations, pizza steadfastly remains amongst the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At SilverDuneVista, we uphold traditional methods while advocating for culinary novelty—that's why you'll locate both timeless Margherita and groundbreaking specialty pizzas on our list.
Are there any of these topical toppings you've sampled? Or maybe you have a novel favorite mix you’d wish us to consider? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!