With each new year, pizza enjoys fresh gastronomic innovations, and 2023 is no different. At HarvestWay, we keep a close eye on the global pizza palate's latest cravings. We present to you our compilation of this year's most influential and beloved pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health becomes a culinary focus, fermented vegetables have surfaced as an unexpected favorite topping on pizzas. Complex, tangy flavors from kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are the perfect match for the creamy cheese and hearty sauces. These toppings don't just bring probiotic perks; they also add a novel texture to the classic pizza profile.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is topped with in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and a punch of gorgonzola cheese, all balanced with a sweet drizzle of local honey. It's a surprising mix that has quickly joined the ranks of our most popular specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The movement towards plant-based diets shows no sign of slowing, resulting in a surge of interest for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitute toppings. Beyond your typical array of vegetables, developments in plant-based proteins have made way for toppings that capture the approval of even the most devoted carnivores.
Selections like veggie-based Italian sausage crumbles, spice-infused tempeh, jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now staples on our menu. These protein choices intrigue not only the vegetarians but also those customers who are drawn to their distinct flavors and reduced digestive load.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek a fiery punch, 2023 welcomes the advent of specific chilies from distinct regions as opposed to the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their trend from past years, there's now a burst of diversity with the inclusion of Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and the Korean favorite, gochujang, on pizzas.
The International Scorch pizza offers a blend of four varying regional chilies, each lending their unique taste to different sections of the pizza, proving to be very popular among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The advocacy for locally-sourced provision has now extended from the farm to the forest, hitting popularity with pizza toppings of seasonal foraged items. A frontrunner in this trend is wild mushrooms – with their exclusive sourcing, chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms are becoming frequent additions when in season.
We're also showcasing wild spring ramps, sea foraged greens like dulse and nori, and special aromatic spruce tips. These nature-connected ingredients aren't just about flavor; they're about providing an experience that cultivated foods can’t match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The pairing of sweet and savory with honey drizzles has remained a steadfast choice beyond a mere trend. Following the wave of spicy honey in prior years, we're now witnessing a surge in the use of exotic honey varieties as final touches on pizzas just before serving.
This year, we've seen an array of specialized honey selections such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey make their way onto pizza menus nationwide. These special drizzles add an element of sophistication, transforming plain pizzas into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that didn't quite make the top cut but deserve recognition include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for a delicate topping resembling golden flurries
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Antique grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum adding crunchy texture
- Specialty butter dollops, such as cultured or enhanced herb butters lending additional flavor
No matter if you adhere to traditional tastes or you’re eager to explore innovative combinations, pizza remains a universally adaptive and cherished dish. At HarvestWay, we pay homage to classic recipes while integrating novel ideas—that's the reason our menu features everything from the timeless Margherita to trendsetting specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these new topping trends? Or do you harbor a distinctive preferred concoction you'd like to see us present? Drop us a comment or share your thoughts during your next visit!