The pizza landscape is continually evolving, with each year ushering in novel tasty trends, and the year 2023 is certainly on trend. At NorthGrove, we make it our mission to keep tabs on the tastes that are delighting pizza aficionados worldwide. Below, we unveil the top pizza toppings that have gained popularity this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has found a place in the pizza market, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite on pies this cycle. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing sour and savory nuances that harmonize with the lusciousness of the cheese and sauce base. These tangy toppings serve up probiotic perks while introducing novel textures to the conventional pizza palette.
The Fermentation Fest pie at our establishment stars a homemade blend of sauerkraut, kimchi, and robust gorgonzola cheese, with a final flourish of locally sourced honey to counterbalance the zestiness. This blend may seem offbeat, yet it's rapidly becoming a top-pick among our specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The wave of plant-based diets has not ebbed, leading to a surge in demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond your average vegetable toppings, the latest in plant-based proteins provide options that even hard-core carnivores find gratifying.
On our menu now are items such as plant-inspired Italian sausage chunks, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit masquerading as pulled pork, and pea protein molded into pepperoni. These alternatives are finding favor not just with vegetarians but also among those who are drawn to their distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who crave a kick of heat, 2023 has marked the embrace of distinctive regional chili types over the standard crush of red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to be a crowd-pleaser from preceding years, we now observe a rise in selections like the mild Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies with a hint of smoke, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and rich Korean gochujang gracing the pizza's surface.
The International Inferno pizza is a concoction of four separate regional chilies, bringing their distinct flavor signatures to different sections of the pie. It has been a hit among our clients seeking a fiery tasting journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Taking the farm-to-table concept a step further, forest-foraged delicacies are stealing the spotlight because of their seasonality. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, where chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms are spotted with increasing frequency according to their peak seasons.
Additionally, we've trialed wild spring ramps, marine greens like dulse, nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients offer our diners a connection to nature and impart flavors that are impossible to replicate in cultivated environments.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet and savory offered by honey has entrenched itself as a staple beyond a mere fleeting trend. Expanding on the acclaim of spicy honey from previous years, 2023 has witnessed the emergence of a plethora of specialty honey varieties being lavished upon pizzas immediately before they're served.
Distinctive varieties such as decadent truffle honey, matured garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey are being featured on menus nationwide. These delicate drizzles add layers of depth, transforming even the simplest pizza into a culinary masterpiece.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that are making significant impacts but didn't quite crack our top five include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated across the pie like sunshine-hued snowflakes.
- Pickled fruits, particularly those of the stone fruit family such as peaches and cherries.
- Ancient grain garnishes, like crunchy spelt or burst sorghum adding a textural contrast.
- Craft butter dabs, especially those cultured or blended with herbs.
Whether your preferences lie with the timeless traditional toppings or if you're keen on exploring audacious new combinations, pizza remains an infinitely adaptable and widely cherished dish. At NorthGrove, we pay homage to our roots while eagerly embracing the new—ensuring that you'll encounter both the classic styles like a simple Margherita and the avant-garde concoctions in our offering.
Which of these top toppings have you experienced? Or do you harbor a special combination in mind that you're excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments, or suggest them when you drop by!