With the arrival of a new calendar year, the realm of pizza gains fresh gastronomic fads, and the year 2023 is no different. At OpenHarbor, it is our passion to track down the toppings that have pizza aficionados worldwide buzzing with anticipation. Below is a collection of the avant-garde and beloved pizza toppings that have dominated this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has made its mark on pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as a startlingly popular choice on the pie. Varieties such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a tangy complexity that contrasts wonderfully with the creamy texture of cheese and the savory depth of sauces. These toppings aren't just a delight for the palate; they also bring probiotics and an innovative textural twist to the classic pizza format.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza comes decked with in-house fermented sauerkraut, spicy kimchi, and bold gorgonzola cheese, with a final drizzle of local honey to counteract the sourness. Though it may strike one as an uncommon pairing, this particular pizza is on its way to becoming a crowd favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Veering towards plant-based nutrition is increasingly influencing the pizza scene, sparking a surge in interest for pies adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond traditional veggie options, cutting-edge developments in the sphere of plant-based proteins are offering alternatives that could fool even staunch carnivores.
Our menu now proudly features items like plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, herb-seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork with a marinade, and pepperoni made from pea protein. These protein choices are a hit not just among vegetarians, but also with our patrons looking for distinct taste experiences and a lighter meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those in pursuit of warmth on their plates have started to gravitate towards specific types of regional chilies over generic crushed red pepper flakes this year. While Calabrian chili retains its popularity, the scene now also welcomes the likes of the mildly spicy Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity notes of Peruvian aji amarillo, and the savory Korean gochujang sauce on their pizzas.
Global Heat, our latest pizza creation, offers a quartet of chilies from around the world, each adding a distinctive taste to different sections of the pizza, catering to diners with a penchant for fiery flavors.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Culinary enthusiasts are now looking beyond the farm to the forest floor in search of the next big trend in pizza toppings - seasonal foraged goods. Leading the charge are a variety of wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, unveiled during their respective picking seasons.
Other foraged elements we've utilized include early spring ramps, aquatic plants such as dulse and nori, and even fresh spruce tips, all of which bring a rustic and aromatic essence to our pizzas and can't be replicated by cultivated crops.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrasting flavors of sweet honey on pizza have transitioned from a fleeting curiosity to a firm favorite among gourmands. Riding the wave of hot honey's recent acclaim, 2023 has observed a proliferation in the use of exotic honey variants as a final flourish on pizzas before they're brought to the table.
Honeys infused with truffles, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and other unique blends are popping up on pizza menus nationwide. These infusions aren't just toppings; they're a way to introduce a deeper layer of sophistication and turn a simple pizza into a premium dish.
Honorable Mentions
There are additional toppings which narrowly missed entering our prestigious list, yet are causing ripples in the pizza pool:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated across the pizza like a shower of amber
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain garnishes like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum adding unique textures
- Handcrafted butter additions, in particular cultured or compound butters laced with herbs
Regardless if you're someone who holds the classics dear or a food explorer open to brave, novel pairings, pizza remains among the most versatile and universally cherished dishes. At OpenHarbor, we respect traditional recipes while pushing the envelope with innovation, which is why our menu spans from the time-honored Margherita to inventive cutting-edge pies.
Which of these fashionable toppings have you sampled? Or perhaps you have an idiosyncratic favorite of your own you'd like us to consider? Share with us in the comment section or during your subsequent visit!