The pizza landscape is always evolving with each new year's dietary trends, and 2023 is shaping up with some unique topping choices. Here at Dough Maestro's Oven, we keep an eye on worldwide pizza preferences. This is our list of this year's most buzzworthy and delectable pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has influenced pizza menus, and fermented vegetables have become an unexpected sensation atop pizzas for their zesty complexity. Flavors from kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions amp up the creaminess of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings aren't just tastebud-friendly; they offer probiotic perks while adding unique textures to classic pizza profiles.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts a house creation of sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, offset by a sweet hint of locally sourced honey. It's an unorthodox mix, yet it's rapidly climbing the charts as one of our fan-favorite specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets hasn't missed the pizza industry, with an increased craving for meat substitute toppings. More than just garden-variety veggie toppings, the latest in plant-derived proteins are now appealing to staunch carnivores.
We now regular feature alternatives like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein versions of pepperoni. These choices aren't merely for the herbivorous crowd; they're picked for their taste profiles and gentler impact on digestion by a diverse range of our patrons.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor fiery flavors, 2023 has ushered in a preference for specific regional chili types over the standard red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to be a hit like previous years, yet now there's a growing presence of chilies like the Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Global Heat, our pizza offering, brings together a blend of these chilies from various regions, each section showcasing its distinct taste profile. It's become a hot selection particularly with customers who are eager for a gustatory challenge.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The locavore movement's next frontier is found atop pizzas with the burgeoning popularity of foraged, seasonal ingredients. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up during their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating ephemeral spring ramps (wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, as well as spruce tips, which impart an uncommon aromatic note. These ingredients forge a connection between our customers and the wilderness, delivering irreplaceable flavors that can't be farmed.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrast of sweet against savory that honey offers has solidified its status as a lasting favorite rather than a transient fad. With hot honey's immense popularity in prior years, we're now seeing an outburst of unique honey types being drizzled over pizzas just before they're served up.
Varieties such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite-flavored honey, and even CBD-rich honey are beginning to garnish menus nationwide. These drizzles add sophistication and can transform basic pizzas into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed our top-five list but are nonetheless causing ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shredded over the pizza for a regal garnish
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on clings like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, which offer crunch with options like crisped farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of craft butter, particularly kinds made with cultured cream or herbed blends
Whether you're a purist who swears by time-honored classics or a culinary adventurer open to unprecedented flavor pairings, pizza remains the epitome of a versatile and universally cherished dish. At Dough Maestro's Oven, we pay our respects to the perennial favorites while wholeheartedly adopting the spirit of culinary ingenuity – which is why our menu caters to the tastes of both traditional Margherita aficionados and lovers of avant-garde creations.
What do you think of these topical toppings? Got your own unique recipe or wish to see a new combination join our offerings? Share your thoughts down below or catch up with us on your next patronage!