The pizza scene is dynamic, with each year presenting new preferences in toppings, and the year 2023 is not an exemption. At EmberGrove Pizzeria, we keep a close eye on what's captivating pizza aficionados across the globe. Below is an overview of the latest and sought-after pizza toppings of this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in digestive health has reached pizza toppings, with the introduction of fermented vegetables as the unexpected favorites this year. Toppings such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing complex and sour flavors that are a perfect match for the creamy cheeses and sauces. Besides offering health benefits through probiotics, these toppings are breaking the monotony with new textures on the traditional pizza pie.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza at our establishment showcases homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a sweet touch of local honey to counteract the sourness. This combination may seem offbeat, yet it has risen to become one of our most popular specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend of plant-centric diets has not missed the pizza industry, leading to a notable increase in requests for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. We've moved beyond typical veggies, with recent advancements in plant-based proteins offering alternatives that even meat enthusiasts find satisfying.
Options like plant-based crumbles imitating Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit fashioned into pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now consistently a part of our repertoire. These protein choices are attracting not only vegetarians but broad demographics for their distinct tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who love spice are celebrating, as in 2023 pizza lovers are gravitating towards specific types of regional chilies over the more common crushed red pepper. The sought-after Calabrian chili has preserved its fame, and yet we're observing the addition of Aleppo pepper, the smokiness of Spanish ñora chilies, the fruitiness of Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang sauce on pizzas.
The International Inferno pizza presents a selection from these chilies, each boasting its distinct taste profile across the quadrants of the pizza, turning it into a spice-filled journey much-cherished by our adventurous customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-fork philosophy has morphed to forest-to-pizza, with foraged ingredients making strides in popularity. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that appear seasonally.
We have also been incorporating spring ramps (wild leeks), sea greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips to add an exclusive aromatic twist. These foraged items not only provide a connection to nature but also a taste profile that cannot be replicated by farm cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has long been appreciated for enhancing pizza with a sweet and savory dynamic, and this sentiment has only strengthened in 2023. We're experiencing a surge in the use of various specialty honey types, applied as a finishing drizzle on pizzas.
These include options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, honey with the essence of smoky mesquite, and even varieties infused with CBD. The addition of these honeys infuses a layer of sophistication and can transform even the most simplistic pizzas into fine delicacies.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings didn't make the top five but are still leaving an impression include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza like flakes of gold velvet
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Whole grain garnishes for crunchy texture, like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Spoons of artisanal butter such as cultured or mixed with fine herbs
No matter if you're someone who cherishes traditional toppings or a culinary explorer keen to sample inventive flavors, pizza continues its reign as one of the most versatile and adored dishes worldwide. At EmberGrove Pizzeria, we pay respect to time-honored methods while also welcoming culinary creativity – thus our menu features both a beloved Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas.
Which of these up-and-coming toppings have you sampled? Or is there a particular unique combo you'd love to see on our menu? Drop us your thoughts in the feedback section or on your next visit!