As new culinary trends emerge annually, the pizza sector also experiences fresh waves of popularity in various toppings. At ForkShelter, we keep an eye on global pizza flavors that intrigue enthusiasts everywhere. Discover the toppings capturing pizza lovers' palates this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastrointestinal wellness has permeated pizza parlours, with fermented veggies being a surprising new favorite on menus. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are contributing intricate sour notes that balance out the creamy cheese and robust sauce. These fermented options offer health benefits along with a novel textural play on the old pizza blueprint.
The Fermentation Fest pie from our kitchen boasts in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and tangy gorgonzola, rounded off with a drizzle of local honey to offset the sharpness. While seemingly unconventional, this creation is quickly becoming a top request.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-centric diets has ushered a noticeable preference for pizzas topped with innovative meat substitutes. Departing from basic veggie toppings, advancements in meat alternatives have brought forth choices that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Options like plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have cemented their place on our menu. These choices appeal to not just those who eschew meat but also customers seeking diverse flavors with a less hefty digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Fans of spiciness are embracing specific chili variants from around the world over plain red pepper flakes. The Calabrian chili stays a hot pick from preceding years, but now there's a rise in the use of distinctive spices, including Aleppo peppers, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our Spicy World Tour pizza delivers a quartet of chilies each representing a different area of the globe, offering a fiery gastronomic voyage, especially admired by our daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
This year, forest-to-table has expanded the locally-sourced movement with an increased interest in wild, foraged produce. Leading this wave are diverse mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured during their growth seasons.
In addition to wild fungi, our experiments have included spring ramps, oceanic greens like dulse, nori, and spruce tips for an extraordinary fragrant twist. These natural ingredients foster a connection to the wild and offer irreplaceable flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The pairing of sweet honey with savory flavors has secured its place in the culinary scene. Expanding the hot honey fascination, the year 2023 welcomes a bevy of special honeys used as finishing touches on pizzas before serving.
Delicacies such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and smoky mesquite elevate ordinary pizzas to a premium experience with their unique depth.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings gaining traction, but just outside our top five include:
- Cured egg yolks, velvety grated and sprinkled over pies like a cheese alternative
- Pickled fruits providing a tangy zest, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Crunchy heritage grains adding texture, examples being crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet butter portions, varying from cultured to herbed butter varieties
Whether one is a pizza purist or an enthusiast ready for pioneering flavors, it is clear that pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored culinary creations. At ForkShelter, we revere tradition as much as we value innovation, offering everything from the timeless Margherita to avant-garde pies.
Have you given these trendy toppings a try, or is there a unique pairing you'd fancy on our menu? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!