Each new year introduces fresh gastronomic fads in the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no different. At UrbanLibrary, we're continuously observing which flavors are enthralling pizza aficionados worldwide. Here's our compilation of this year's most enticing and favored pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has found its path to pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer intricate, sour notes that balance the creamy cheeses and robust sauces. These tangy additions not only deliver probiotics but also add new textural elements to classical pizzas.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza showcases our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a final touch of regional honey that brings sweetness to the sourness. Though it may seem unconventional, it's swiftly becoming a top request among our specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-forward diets continue to trend, there's been an uptick in the request for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond usual veggie options, advancements in plant-based proteins are offering alternatives that even passionate carnivores appreciate.
Options like plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have found a place on our menu. These proteins cater to more than just vegetarians – they're chosen by customers for their distinctive tastes and gentler effects on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers are celebrating! The year 2023 has brought a growing aficionado for specific regional chili types over the standard red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still favored, but now we're seeing spices like aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang featured on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a combination of four distinct regional chilies, each adding its singular taste to the mix. It's a fiery quest that has been particularly popular among our more daring consumers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
In the stride of farm-to-table, foraged goods have gained traction on pizzas. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing during their peak seasons.
Our exploration extends to wild leeks in spring, sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their unique fragrant essence. These ingredients draw diners closer to nature, delivering flavors that can't be replicated artificially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of savory and sweet from honey has been more than a fleeting craze. Building on the enthusiasm for hot honey in recent years, we've seen a surge of specialty honey sorts being drizzled onto pizzas just before they're served.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even honey with CBD enhancement are emerging on dining establishments nationwide. These garnishes lend sophistication and transform simple pizza selections into refined cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that didn't quite make our top five list but are still generating excitement include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza to resemble golden flurries
- Pickled fruit, notably stone fruit such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additions like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet dollops of butter, especially those cultured or mixed with herbal infusions
Regardless if you're a purist who sticks to the time-honored toppings or you're inclined to explore novel flavor fusions, pizza remains a universally adaptable and cherished dish. At UrbanLibrary, we respect the enduring classics while welcoming novelty—that's the rationale behind offering both timeless Margherita and avant-garde specialty pies on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these trendsetting toppings? Or do you have a distinctive preferred mix that you'd like us to feature? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!