Each year new tastes emerge in the pizza scene, and 2023 is no different. At PublicCommonsIndex, we keep an eye out for the flavors that are winning over pizza connoisseurs worldwide. Allow us to introduce the thrilling and in-demand pizza toppings that are the talk of the town this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has made its entrance into pizza kitchens, with fermented vegetables taking center stage on pizzas. The complex sour essences of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are combining well with the creamy cheese and sauce. These fermented additions not only bring probiotics but also exciting textural contrasts to the classic pizza.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza graced with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and delicious gorgonzola, all balanced with a touch of sweet, local honey. It's an unconventional mix, but it's speedily climbed the charts as one of our fan-favorite specialties.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As the wave of plant-based diets keeps swelling, there's also an uptick in the craving for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond typical veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based protein have brought forth options that even hard-core carnivores are satisfied with.
We're serving up plant-mimicking Italian sausage crumbles, flavorful tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking shredded pork, and pea-protein-based pepperoni. These toppings attract not only plant-eaters but also those who opt for their special tastes and a less heavy impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Species
Those with a penchant for spiciness are celebrating! This year has seen a zest for precise chili types from particular regions over the ubiquitous red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue their popularity streak, while others like fiery Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, tangy Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are gracing pizzas more frequently.
Our International Zest pizza is scattered with a blend of distinctive chilies from various regions, each lending its distinct taste to the pizza, delighting especially those with a paladar for spice.
4. Seasonal Foraged Delights
What began as farm-to-table has evolved to forest-to-pizza, thanks to the burgeoning interest in seasonal foraged produce. Leading the trend are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which show up during their growth periods.
Other wild ingredients we're incorporating include spring ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These offerings not only introduce customers to wilderness flavors but also offer tastes that can't be replicated with farm-grown produce.
5. Exotic Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet honey with savory pizza has rooted itself as more than a fad. Continuing from the hot honey trend of yesteryear, 2023 has unveiled a variety of unique honey drizzles just before serving.
Options including aromatic truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and soothing CBD-infused honey have started appearing in pizzerias. These final drizzles add a layer of sophistication often transforming simple pizzas into gourmet delights.
Noteworthy Mentions
Other toppings that narrowly missed entering our top list but are still making significant impacts include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated across the pizza for a rich umami touch
- Marinated fruits, with stone fruits like peaches and plums leading the way
- Ancient grains adding crunch, such as toasted farro or puffed sorghum
- Handcrafted butter spots, particularly those flavored with culture or blended with herbs
No matter if you hold a candle for timeless pizza classics or you're the audacious type open to novel flavor pairings, pizza continues to champion as the most versatile and adored dish globally. At PublicCommonsIndex, we honor age-old traditions and simultaneously welcome culinary creativity – that's why you'll find both the iconic Margherita and the avant-garde specialties on our menu.
Have you indulged in any of these contemporary toppings? Or perhaps you harbor a one-of-a-kind favorite blend you'd wish to see us experiment with? Share your thoughts in the comment session or during your next visit!