Each year introduces new gastronomic fads to the pizza scene, and the year 2023 is no different. At AmberGrain, we're dedicated to tracking the flavors that enthrall pizza aficionados worldwide. Below is our curated list of this year's most sought-after and thrilling pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health remains a hot topic, fermented vegetables have made a surprising entry into pizza topping selections this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a complex, zesty punch that balances beautifully with the creamy cheeses and robust sauces. These toppings not only offer probiotic advantages but also introduce an innovative textural twist to classic pizzas.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza showcases our own house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all unified with a sweet drizzle of local honey to offset the sour notes. While it may sound out of the ordinary, it's swiftly risen to the top as one of the fan-favorite specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in popularity for plant-based diets has led to an increased appetite for pizzas topped with innovative meat substitutes. Surpassing conventional veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins are offering choices that even staunch carnivores can enjoy.
We're now serving up pizzas with plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, herbed tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni as standard options. Our customers are drawn to these not only for dietary preferences but also for their distinctive flavors and a less burdensome eating experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Lovers of spice, celebrate! In 2023, pizza connoisseurs are favoring particular regional chili types over generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be popular, other varieties such as smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and bold Korean gochujang are popping up more on pizzas.
Global Heat, our new pie, creatively tops the crust with a quartet of chilies, each adding its distinct fiery taste to the mix. This pizza offers a fiery journey for our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraging has taken its place in the culinary limelight, bringing the allure of the wild to pizzas through seasonally foraged ingredients. The trend is spearheaded by wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear on pizzas in sync with their natural growing seasons.
We've also been featuring wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips, deepening the connection between our patrons and the wilderness while offering irreplicable tastes.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's capacity to bridge sweet and savory notes has made it a permanent fixture rather than a whimsical phase. The current year has seen the rise of distinctive honey varieties being drizzled on pizzas just prior to serving.
Exotic truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-connected honey are increasingly seen on pizza menus, adding a layer of sophistication and turning everyday pizzas into gourmet offerings.
Honorable Mentions
A selection of other toppings that are garnering attention though not making our top list include:
- Preserved egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza for a touch of opulence
- Pickled stone fruits, like peaches and plums, adding a sweet and tangy aspect
- Ancient grain toppers, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum, for extra crunch
- Handcrafted butter varieties, notably cultured or herbed compound butters
Whether you're a purist who cherishes timeless flavor combinations or someone who seeks culinary novelty, pizza remains an endlessly versatile and universally cherished dish. At AmberGrain, we honor time-honored methods while also encouraging innovative creations, which is why our menu boasts both age-old Margherita and avant-garde pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these up-to-the-minute toppings? Or is there a distinctive topping combo you'd love us to feature? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!