With each new year, pizza's culinary landscape flourishes with fresh tendencies, and 2023 stands no different. Here at PineHarbor, our keen eyes are set on identifying toppings that ensnare the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Let's dive into the toppings that have been causing a sensation this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The attention towards gut wellness has birthed an unexpected pizza topping sensation: fermented vegetables. Fusing piquant tastes that mesh well with the savory cheese and sauce, toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions deliver not only digestive perks but a new spin on texture.
Introducing our Fermentation Celebration pizza which showcases our proprietary sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all topped off with a sweet local honey that perfectly offsets the sourness. Though it might seem unconventional, this specific pizza has swiftly turned into a crowd favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has led to a heightened demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Surpassing ordinary veggies, breakthroughs in plant proteins are now pleasing even staunch carnivores.
Choices ranging from plant-based crumbles mimicking Italian sausage to skillfully seasoned tempeh, exotic jackfruit pulled pork to pea protein pepperoni are now proudly part of our selection. These proteins cater to a wider palate, all thanks to their distinctive flavors and digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice are embracing the trend of specific regional chilis rather than the generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue their dominance, while Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilis, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang start making heads turn.
Our Global Heat pizza, a patchwork of four diverse regional chilis, each adding its unique flair to different sections of the pizza, has cultivated a fan base particularly among those who revel in a culinary dare.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
From farm-to-table and now forest-to-pizza, foraged ingredients harvested in their ideal season are rising stars. Wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, are recurring guests during their harvest times.
We're exploring with wild spring ramps (leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips known for their distinct aromatic touch. These natural elements offer diners a connection to the earth and flavors not found in farm-grown produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Not to be forgotten is the dynamic interplay of honey on pizza which has risen beyond the ephemeral. As hot honey's fame endures, 2023 witnesses the surge of niche honey types that are drizzled atop pizzas right before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey with a smoky nuance, and honey infused with CBD are just some of the varieties making waves. These final touches impart layers of taste turning even the most simplistic pizza into a gourmet delight.
Honorable Mentions
Other notable toppings just shy of making the top five but still noteworthy include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over pizzas for a rich umami shower
- Tangy pickled fruits, notably drupes such as peaches and plums
- Heritage grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum adding textural intrigue
- Artisanal dollops of butter, particularly those infused with cultures or herbs
Whether you're a steadfast conventionalist who swears by time-honored recipes, or someone inclined towards the thrill of fresh flavors, pizza remains universally cherished for its versatility. At PineHarbor, we respect the classics while wholeheartedly pursuing novelty, proven by our broad menu ranging from ageless Margheritas to avant-garde creations.
Have these trending toppings crossed your taste radar, or do you hold allegiance to a unique favorite duo? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your subsequent visit to our establishment.