With the arrival of a new year, pizza aficionados witness the emergence of fresh topping trends, and 2023 is no different. At GlenPassage Pizzeria, keeping an eye on global preferences in pizza flavors is part of our commitment. We've compiled a list of the top pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive health has found its way to pizza kitchens, with fermented vegetables gaining popularity. Tangy to the taste, options like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are a perfect match for the traditional cheese and sauce, also offering gut-friendly probiotics and adding new textures to the pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fest pizza, a creation of ours, includes our own sauerkraut and kimchi along with gorgonzola cheese, topped with a drizzle of artisanal honey balancing out the sourness. Despite its unconventional nature, it's rapidly become a top-requested dish.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The embrace of plant-based diets has surged, resulting in increased preference for pizzas adorned with inventive substitutes for meat. Aside from the usual veggies, new developments in plant-based proteins offer choices that even the most ardent carnivores appreciate.
We feature plant-oriented Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit 'pulled pork,' and 'pepperoni' made from pea protein. These alternative proteins aren't just for vegetarians; their distinct tastes and digestive ease are a hit with a broad range of our patrons.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spiciness are celebrating, as pizza lovers are favoring particular varieties of chilies instead of the nondescript red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain sought after, alongside the likes of Aleppo peppers, Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang, infusing pizzas with international zest.
The Global Heat pizza, offering a blend of four distinct chilies from various regions each adding a unique kick to the pie, has been notably popular amongst our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraged seasonal produce, moving from the wilderness to pizza creations, is reflective of an extension of the farm-to-table ethos. Lead by wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, these ingredients are savored during their peak seasons.
We also feature wild leeks, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. Such components offer an authentic connection to the wilderness while presenting unreplicable flavors unlike those of farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The dynamic interplay between savoury and sweet, brought about by honey drizzles on pizza, has become well established. New varieties of honey are increasingly being used as a gourmet topping, such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, and honey with a smoky mesquite flavor for a sophisticated twist.
Noteworthy Mentions
Some toppings that didn't quite make our top five but are still creating buzz include:
- Grated cured egg yolks, resembling a shower of yellow snow over a pizza
- Marinated fruits, particularly stone fruits such as cherries and apricots
- Ancient grain garnishes, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added crunch
- Pads of handcrafted butter, especially cultured or mixed with herbs
For those who swear by the timeless classics or those eager to sample novel creations, pizza retains its position as an endlessly adaptable and cherished dish. At GlenPassage Pizzeria, we strike a balance between celebrating the traditional and pioneering new tastes—that's why you'll find both the quintessential Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas in our repertoire.
Have any of these modern toppings met your palate? Or do you harbor a particular blend that you'd want to see us incorporate into our menu? Share with us in the comments, or drop a suggestion when you're next in!