As each year unfolds, the realm of pizza witnesses fresh gastronomic waves, and the year 2023 stands as no outlier. At HomeSteadWay, it's our pursuit to keep a keen eye on what entices the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Let us unveil the roundup of this year's top pizza toppings that have been making a splash.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The heightened awareness of digestive wellness has transported fermented veggies straight onto pizza crusts, marking them a crowd favorite this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bestowing intricate sour notes that blend seamlessly with the creamy cheesiness and traditional sauce. These fermented choices offer probiotics and introduce an unconventional textural twist to the classic pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Jubilee crust is laden with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, joined by gorgonzola cheese, and lightly garnished with a drizzle of artisanal honey to counterbalance the acidity. This concoction may seem eclectic, but its swiftly become a top-requested option.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has not missed the pizza industry, leading to a vast uptick in demand for pizzas adorned with imaginative meat substitutions. Well beyond ordinary veggie toppings, recent advancements in plant-based protein have brought forth varieties that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Options like vegan crumbled Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni now frequently grace our offerings. These inventive proteins appeal not just to plant-based diners but also to those seeking distinctive tastes and a more digestible fare.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those that desire a bit of heat, 2023 has celebrated the infusion of particular regional chili types over the commonplace red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have kept their ground from the past, while this year has welcomed the likes of Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and piquant Korean gochujang to the pizza party.
Our Global Fiery pizza serves as a conduit to four distinct regional chilies, each offering a distinct flavor signature across the pie. This spicy escapade is especially beloved by our clientele with a penchant for culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The path from farm-to-table now includes a route from the forest-to-pizza, owing to the current fascination with foraged ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, showcased during their natural growing seasons.
Moreover, we've gone adventurous with spring ramps (wild leeks), coastal greens like dulse and nori, as well as spruce tips, known for their aromatic allure. These wild finds forge a connection to nature while offering unmistakable tastes absent from cultivated crops.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory introduced by honey has solidified its status as more than just a whim. Capitalizing on the hot honey trend, this year has witnessed a proliferation of unique honey varieties gracing pizzas upon serving.
Enhancers such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey have made their way onto culinary scenes nationwide. These refined touches contribute nuance and uplift a basic pizza to a high-grade delicacy.
Honorable Mentions
A handful of other adornments that haven't quite made it into our top-five yet are certainly causing ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza, resembling a golden dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a special nod toward stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Whole grain sprinkles, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Dabs of artisanal butter, in particular cultured or blended herb butters
Whether you’re a purist cherishing classic styles or an intrepid connoisseur eager for novel fusions, pizza remains a global staple capable of infinite reinterpretation. At HomeSteadWay, we balance our respects to tradition with a passion for the new—that explains why our selection ranges from timeless Margherita to avant-garde specialty offerings.
Have these trendsetting toppings graced your palate? Or perhaps you harbor a distinctive topping combination you’d urge us to try? Share with us in the comments or upon your next visit!