As the culinary landscape evolves, pizza remains at the forefront of taste innovation, with 2023 continuing this trend. At RootandStem, we closely track global preferences in pizza flavors. This article presents the top five pizza toppings that are currently the talk of the town.
1. Cultured Vegetables
The spotlight on digestive health has stretched to the realm of pizza with cultured vegetables becoming an unexpected favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles are lending their sharp and intricate tastes that enrich the traditional blend of cheese and tomato sauce. Along with their probiotic qualities, the fermented additions bring a fresh textural element to classic pizza.
The Probiotic Party pizza, one of our newer creations, includes our own sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with gorgonzola, and lightly drizzled with locally sourced honey to sweeten the sharpness. It's an original mix that has quickly gained popularity among our patrons.
2. Protein from Plants
With more people adopting plant-based diets, there's been an uptick in pizzas adorned with innovative meatless options. Far from just a vegetarian affair, these novel toppings are winning over meat enthusiasts as well.
Choices like plant-based crumbles imitating Italian sausage, flavorfully seasoned tempeh, jackfruit that mimics pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni-like slices are now staples in our kitchens. They offer a unique flavor profile while promising a less heavy feel after eating.
3. Exotic Chili Peppers
For those who favor a spice-enhanced experience, the year 2023 has seen an embrace of distinctive chili peppers from various regions, moving beyond the commonplace red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have remained in favor, varieties such as Aleppo, smoky ñora, fruity aji amarillo, and gochujang are gaining prevalence on pizzas.
Our International Heatwave pizza presents a collection of chilies from across the world, delivering distinct spicy notes to every slice, a choice becoming popular among our most daring customers.
4. Foraged Wild Edibles
Wild ingredients foraged from the forest floor are featuring more on pizzas, riding on the popularity of the farm-to-table trend. The star of this movement is wild mushrooms, ranging from fresh chanterelles to earthy morels, and other varieties depending on the season.
We've also included unusual additions such as ramps (a type of wild onion), various sea vegetables, and even aromatic spruce tips. These not only offer a connection to the wilderness but flavors that can't be found in cultivated produce.
5. Artisan Honey Varieties
The harmonious mix of sweet and savory incorporated through honey has settled into a long-lasting trend. Branching out from the wide acclaim of spicy honey, this year introduces an abundance of artisinal honey types that are drizzled atop pizzas just before they're served.
Honey infused with truffles, garlic, smoky essences, and even honey with added CBD are making their mark in pizza parlors nationwide. These final touches not only add depth but also lift even the simplest of pizzas to an upscale level.
Acknowledgements
Several other toppings nearly made it to our top list but are definitely worth mentioning:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a luxurious taste
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as apricots and cherries
- Whole grains like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum adding texture
- Butter blends, including both cultured and seasoning-infused varieties
No matter if you're someone who sticks with the time-honored toppings or if you're eager to experiment with novel flavor pairings, pizza remains a beloved and extremely versatile dish. At RootandStem, we celebrate both tradition and novelty, which is why our menu offers everything from the enduring Margherita to avant-garde artisanal pizzas.
Are any of these progressive toppings on your radar? Or do you have an innovative topping idea you'd want us to explore? Share your thoughts in the comments or let us know during your next visit!