Each year presents fresh gastronomic fashions in pizza-making, and 2023 is shaping up to keep pace. At OpenLiaisonHub, tracking the culinary preferences that capture the interest of pizza aficionados worldwide is a priority. Here we offer a guide to the top pizza toppings that are causing a buzz this year.
1. Lacto-Fermented Fare
Emphasis on digestive health has found its path to pizza kitchens, with zesty lacto-fermented toppings emerging as a top choice on pizzas. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and brined onions impart complex, zesty flavors that meld well with the creamy nature of cheese and sauce. Besides offering probiotics, these toppings also infuse an engaging new textural element into classic pizza preparations.
The Fermentation Fest pizza, our latest addition, showcases house-crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, married with a spoonful of local honey to counter the zestiness. While it may seem an unconventional blend, it's quickly risen to be among our most popular signature offerings.
2. Meat Substitutes Derived from Plants
As the trend for plant-based diets gains momentum, we have noticed a climb in the preference for pizzas that feature innovative meat substitutes. These go beyond the usual veggie toppings, as advancements in meat alternatives bring choices that even conventional meat enthusiasts can enjoy.
Our menu frequently features toppings like Italian sausage made from plant-based ingredients, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pepperoni crafted from pea protein. These toppings aren't exclusively for those who forsake meat; numerous patrons opt for them due to their distinct tastes and because they're easier on the stomach.
3. Distinctive Regional Peppers
For those who pursue a spicy kick, 2023 has observed a movement towards specific regional peppers over the usual crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chili peppers have remained favored from past years, we are now witnessing the arrival of exotic spices like the Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on gourmet pizzas.
The Spice Trail pizza offers a unique blend of four different peppers, with each quadrant of the pizza boasting a distinctive spicy profile. This pie has found favor particularly among our customers inclined toward culinary exploration.
4. Seasonally Foraged Greens
The local food movement has branched into the realm of pizza with an upsurge in interest in seasonally foraged ingredients. Leading this trend are varieties of wild mushrooms including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which make an appearance at different times of the year.
We're also venturing into foraged items such as spring ramps (wild garlic), sea plants like dulse and nori, as well as spruce tips for their unique fragrant notes. These earthy components offer patrons a connection to nature and tastes that can't be replicated with cultivated produce.
5. Gourmet Honey Infusions
The delightful juxtaposition of sweet and savory brought by honey is now a standard in the gourmet pizza sector. Expanding on the trend of spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed an increase in specialty honey varieties being drizzled over pizzas right before they're served.
Our selection includes luxurious truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and CBD-rich honey. These refined toppings add depth and sophistication, transforming even the simplest pizza into a gourmet creation.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that didn't quite make the top five but are still significant include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza to create a rich, umami dusting
- Marinated fruits, particularly stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Ancient grain accessories, such as crisped farro or burst sorghum, for a textural contrast
- Dollops of artisan butter, including both cultured varieties and those combined with herbs
Pizza lovers may incline towards time-honored classics or lean towards trying daring new flavor blends; nonetheless, pizza sustains its status as an adaptable and universally cherished dish. At OpenLiaisonHub, we celebrate the tried-and-true recipes whilst also embracing innovation, which is why our menu caters to all tastes, with both the classic Margherita and the avant-garde pies readily available.
Are any of these trending toppings familiar to your palate? Or perhaps you harbor a special combination in mind that you'd love for us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comment section below or during your next visit to our establishment!