Each year introduces fresh gastronomic waves in the pizza sphere, and 2023 is no different. At Crust & Harmony Pizzeria, keeping tabs on what tantalizes the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. Dive into our selection of the most buzzworthy and desired pizza toppings of this year.
1. Lacto-Fermented Veggies
The emphasis on digestive wellness has spilled over into pizza shops, with lacto-fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizza. Delights like kimchi, sauerkraut, and preserved onions are imparting intricate sour notes that mesh well with the lusciousness of cheeses and sauces. These toppings extend beyond flavor, offering probiotic perks and a novel texture to the conventional pizza scene.
Our Ferment Fiesta pizza showcases a combination of in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, topped with artisanal honey drizzles to counterpoise the sourness. This blend may raise eyebrows but has swiftly become one of the most popular specialty pizzas we offer.
2. Meat-Free Proteins
As plant-based diets gain momentum, the call for pizzas laden with inventive meat substitutes has spiked. Moving past ordinary veggie garnishes, the advent of meat-free protein inventions caters to even the staunchest of carnivores.
Proteins such as crumbled plant-derived Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork with a marinade, and pea protein based pepperoni are now a staple on our menu. These proteins cater not just to herbivores but to clients who prefer them due to their distinctive tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Distinctive Chili Peppers
The thrill-seekers among pizza lovers are embracing exacting regional chili peppers in lieu of the mundane red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have retained their charm from yesteryears, we’re now seeing a surge in the use of diverse peppers such as the Syrian Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
Our Global Spice pizza delivers a quartet of distinct regional chili peppers, with each lending its own exclusive spice profile to sections of the pizza, making for a fiery culinary voyage that's particularly favored by our more intrepid diners.
4. Wild Foraged Components
From farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza, the growing inclination for wild foraged components is apparent. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, which make their way onto pizzas in their respective harvesting seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, our culinary experiments extend to wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even the balsamic essence of spruce tips. These foraged additions offer a connection to the wilderness and impart tastes and aromas not replicable in commercial cultivation.
5. Unique Varieties of Honey
The enchanting blend of sweet and savory that honey provides is successfully securing its place as a mainstay trend. Continuing from the surge of spicy honey, 2023 witnesses an advent of gourmet honey variations being dribbled on pizzas before serving.
Exquisite options such as truffle-infused honey, garlic honey in its secondary ferment, mesquite honey with its smoky undertone, and even honey infused with CBD are gracing pizzerias nationwide. These specialized honey touches are complex enough to raise straightforward pizza formulas to the levels of fine dining.
Honorable Mentions
While not in the top five, several other toppings are still making a notable impact, including:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated on pizzas to resemble a radiant dusting
- Marinated fruits, notably stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain crunchies, like toasted spelt or puffed amaranth for added texture
- Dollops of craft butter (specifically cultured or blended with fine herbs)
Whether you lean towards time-honored staples or fancy braving novel mixes, pizza remains one of the most customizable and endeared dishes globally. At Crust & Harmony Pizzeria, we pay homage to the classics while championing the new—that's why our selection spans from the venerable Margherita to avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these current topping trends? Or perhaps you harbor a distinctive favorite pairing you’d enjoy seeing us feature? Share with us in the comments or during your next patronage!