The pizza landscape never stops evolving, with 2023 ushering in a fresh wave of innovative and cherished toppings. At OpenExploration, our pulse on global pizza aficionado preferences is steadfast. Here are the toppings that have been a sheer delight this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasizing gut health has led to an explosion in popularity for fermented vegetable toppings. Items such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are adding a delightful complexity and refreshingly sharp flavor to pizzas. Besides the health benefits, such toppings are introducing a new textural element to the traditional pizza palate.
Featured on our menu is the Fermentation Fiesta pizza, where we pair our own sauerkraut and kimchi with creamy gorgonzola, and top it off with a dash of local honey, striking a sensational balance of flavors. This unconventional combo is fast becoming a fan-favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has brought about an increase in alternative meat toppings among our pizza options. Beyond your typical veggie toppings, advancements in plant proteins have spawned alternatives that even the staunchest carnivores can appreciate.
Choices including crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pepperoni made from pea protein have become staple offerings. These toppings are not just for herbivores; their distinctive flavors and easier digestibility are appealing to a broader customer base.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who favor a spicy kick are in for a treat, as pizza enthusiasts are now reaching for specific regional chilies instead of the usual red pepper flakes. Even though Calabrian chilies are still in vogue, we're also seeing chilies like smoky ñoras from Spain, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang pepper paste adorn our pizzas.
Our Global Spice Trek pizza is a dazzling amalgamation of four different chilies, each lending an exclusive burst of flavor to separate sections of the pizza, appealing immensely to our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has transformed to encompass the idea of forest-to-table, as the allure of foraged ingredients gathers momentum. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and maitakes during their prime season.
Our foray into nature doesn't stop at mushrooms. We're incorporating wild ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips. These wild-harvested ingredients not only tether our customers to nature but also offer irreplaceable flavors not found in farmed variants.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweetness with the savory aspect of pizza has firmly become a mainstream sensation. This year has seen the rise in exclusive kinds of honey being applied to pizzas right before they're served.
Among the various kinds now seen are truffle-infused honey, honey fermented with garlic, aromatic mesquite honey, and even honey spiked with CBD. These unique drizzles add a layer of sophistication, turning even the simplest pizzas into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Some other noteworthy toppings that didn't quite make our top list but are nonetheless creating a buzz include:
- Shaved cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza for a radiant finish
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums, offering a tangy twist
- Ancient grain toppings like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum, adding textural contrast
- Gourmet butter spots, including various cultured or herbed compound butters
Pizza remains the epitome of versatility and global adoration, whether you’re someone who usually sticks to the tried-and-true favorites or you dare to venture out into novel flavor territories. At OpenExploration, we celebrate timeless classics and novel creations alike, which is why our offerings encompass both the authentic Margherita as well as innovative pies.
Ever ventured into trying these trendsetting toppings? Or do you have a bespoke favorite you’d love to see added to our repertoire? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!