As each year unfolds, it introduces the pizza scene to new trending flavors, and 2023 has seen its own set of standout topping choices. Here at OpalPlateau, we're always eyeing the pizza topping trends captivating pizza aficionados the world over. Below is a curated list of the year's most buzzworthy pizza topping selections.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has made its way into pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as this year's unexpected favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are lending sophisticated sour notes that perfectly offset the creamy cheese and robust sauces. Not just nourishing with their probiotics, these toppings add a novel texture to the classic pizza experience.
Introducing our Celebratory Fermentation pizza, adorned with in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, along with gorgonzola cheese, and a touch of local honey for a flavor balance. This blend may seem unorthodox, yet it's soared to the top of our specialty pizza requests.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The tide of plant-based eating is surging, and with it comes an increased craving for pizzas that showcase inventive meat substitutes. Going beyond the usual veggie toppings, the diversity of plant-based proteins is capturing the hearts of even the staunchest carnivores.
Our menu now regularly includes plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni strips. Opted for by many, these proteins aren't exclusive to vegans; our customers are drawn to their distinct tastes and lighter feel on the digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spiciness, take note! The year's trendspotter is individual regional chili types over generic crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue their reign, a diverse range including Spanish smoked ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang is making waves in pizza toppings.
Try our Spice Voyage pizza, a concoction with a quartet of distinctive regional chilies each claiming a corner of the pizza. This fiery exploration is a triumph with patrons who enjoy a culinary challenge.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The locavore movement has expanded beyond farm-to-table into pizza with a focus on seasonally foraged fare. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing seasonally. Other wild ingredients have included spring ramps, maritime greens like dulse and nori, as well as spruce tips for an authentic forest aroma. These toppings forage a connection to nature and impart unmatched flavors not found in cultivated foods.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey's sweetness with savory has secured its place in the pizza hemisphere. Following the trail of hot honey in recent times, a wealth of unique honeys are now being drizzled on pizzas up to the minute of serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey with its smokiness, and yes, even CBD-fortified honey are now to be found on pizza menus. These drizzles lend sophistication and can transform even the simplest of pizzas into an exquisite creation.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that are trending but didn't make it to our primary list include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza akin to delicate golden flakes
- Pickled stone fruits, peaches and plums in particular
- Ancient grains for a crunch, like roasted farro or puffed sorghum
- Gourmet butter dollops (like cultured or herbed compound varieties)
No matter if you're a pizza purist or a pioneer of the palate eager for novel flavors, pizza remains a universally adaptable and adored dish. At OpalPlateau, we revere time-honored styles while eagerly embracing the new—that's why our menu offers classic Margherita alongside avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have any of these top toppings made their way onto your plate? Or do you harbor your own favorite pairing that you think deserves a spot on our menu? Share in the comments or on your next visit!