The pizza landscape is ever-evolving, and 2023 has seen its share of culinary innovations. At OatsheafLand, we stay ahead of the curve, keeping an eye on what ignites the palette of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here's our curated list of the top pizza toppings making a splash in the current year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasizing digestive wellness, fermented veggies have emerged as a top favourite on pizzas. Variants like kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are providing a layer of zesty flavors that perfectly balance the creamy texture of cheese and tomato sauce. Not only are these toppings packed with probiotics, but they also add an intriguing new texture to the standard pizza experience.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and a type of blue cheese, with a final sweet touch of artisanal honey that offsets the sourness. This unexpected combo may raise eyebrows, but has quickly garnered a fan base as one of our most popular gourmet pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As the trend towards plant-based diets grows, so does the demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. We've gone beyond regular veggies, introducing plant-derived proteins that even true meat enthusiasts can't resist.
On our menu, plant-derived crumbles imitating Italian sausage, well-seasoned tempeh, jackfruit treated to mimic pulled pork, and pea protein designed to taste like pepperoni have become regular options. These alternatives are appealing not just to vegans, but also to omnivores for their distinctive flavors and perceived health benefits.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is the year pizza lovers ventured into the world of unique regional chili varieties, moving past the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, we're now witnessing a rise in special chilies such as the fragrant Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora, the vibrant aji amarillo from Peru, and the pungent Korean gochujang on pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza at our eatery is a hit, showcasing a blend of chilies from different regions, each infusing its distinct taste profile into the pizza. This fiery gastronomic journey is a favorite among customers who enjoy a bit of adventure on their plates.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The direct-from-nature concept is gaining traction, with foraged seasonal ingredients ascending in popularity when it comes to pizza toppings. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms featuring prominently during their peak seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been exploring wild leeks in the spring, oceanic greens like dulse and nori seaweed, as well as botanical spruce tips for their distinctive aroma. These natural additions bring a connection to the earth and offer unmatched flavors that can’t be replicated with cultivated ingredients.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Combining sweet with savory, the use of honey on pizzas is a trend that's here to stay. Continuing from the previous years' hot honey trend, 2023 has ushered in a range of unique honey types used as a finishing drizzle on pizzas, intensifying the gourmet experience.
Exquisite varieties such as truffle honey, tart fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even soothing honey infused with CBD are gracing pizzerias nationwide. These extraordinary drizzles add depth and transform even the simplest of pizzas into a deluxe dish.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that nearly made our list but still deserve recognition include:
- Preserved egg yolks, grated finely over your pizza, adding a sprinkle of rich umami
- Acidic pickled fruits, like summer stone fruits including peaches and apricots
- Ancient grains for crunch, such as crisp farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet dollops of butter, specifically those that are fermented or infused with herbs
No matter if your preference lies with timeless pizza classics or you're eager to experiment with the latest flavor profiles, pizza remains a universally beloved and endlessly versatile dish. At OatsheafLand, we revere the traditions yet are passionate about culinary innovation, evidenced by our selection of perennial favorites alongside groundbreaking specialties.
Have any of these top trends graced your palate? Or perhaps you have your own inventive topping combo you’d love to see featured? Drop us a comment or suggest your ideas on your next visit!