As each calendar year turns, we encounter fresh culinary revolutions within the pizza industry, and the year 2023 is not short of novelties. Here at HarborHorizon, keeping tabs on what tantalizes the pizza aficionados across the planet is of utmost importance. We present a selection of the year's most celebrated and trending pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has taken center stage in pizza innovation, and fermented veggies have become an unexpected favorite topping in this year's selections. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a complex sour zing that pairs well with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Not only do these toppings add probiotic qualities, but they also add new textural elements to a classic dish.
The Fermentation Extravaganza pie tops the chart with our very own sauerkraut, kimchi, and a strong gorgonzola cheese, finely balanced with a local honey drizzle. The mix may appear odd at first, but its popularity is soaring as one of our top specialty orders.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The drive towards plant-derived diets hasn't slowed down, leading to a heightened popularity in pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Unique vegetable toppings are surpassed by breakthroughs in plant-based proteins, satisfying even the hard-core carnivores.
We are now garnishing our pizzas with plant-based Italian sausage chunks, savory tempeh, tropical-flavored jackfruit pulled pork, and pea-based pepperoni. These toppings are chosen by customers not only for their ethical implications but also their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 marks the year where pizza lovers are selecting specific regional chilies for their heat source rather than the usual crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies still retain their fame, and now spices like the fragrant Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, exotic Peruvian aji amarillo, and fiery Korean gochujang are sprinkled over pizzas.
The Spicy World Tour pizza is a hot favorite, featuring an assortment of four distinct regional chilies, each providing a singular burst of heat to various sections of the pizza. It's become particularly popular among those with a penchant for culinary thrill-seeking.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
A natural progression of the farm-to-fork movement is the transition to forest-to-pizza, evident from the trend of using seasonal foraged toppings. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and maitake, showcased during their individual seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've included wild ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinct nose. This foraging approach ties eaters to the wild and introduces flavors not found in commercial production.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has established a foothold in creating an intriguingly sweet and savory puzzle. With the past rise of spicy honey, 2023 brings to table an array of specialty honeys used as a pizza finisher.
Diverse honeys such as truffle-infused, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite honey, and the health-conscious CBD honey are gaining ground in eateries nationwide. These artisanal touches bring an elevated finesse and versatility to even the simplest pies.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that are gaining popularity, despite not making the top five:
- Salted cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich umami flavor
- Sweet and sour pickled fruits, taking the spotlight are stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Crunchy grains from heirloom plants, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Dabs of handcrafted butter, especially those enhanced with cultured or compounded herbal flavors
Whether you've got a taste for timeless classics or have an adventurous palate eager for innovative flavors, pizza remains a universally beloved and infinitely adaptable dish. At HarborHorizon, we respect the traditional while welcoming new creativity, evident in our menu that features both age-old favourites like the Margherita and boundary-pushing gourmet creations.
Have you sampled any of the topping trends of the season? Or do you have a novel favorite you'd like us to consider? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!