Each year, the pizza sector is graced with fresh gastronomic legacies, and 2023 is no outlier. Here at WorldConnectPortal, we constantly keep tabs on the flavors that are entrancing pizza aficionados across the globe. Delve into our list of the current year’s top pizza add-ons that are the talk of the town.
1. Cultured Veggies
Digestive wellness has filtered into pizza kitchens, with cultured veggies emerging as an unexpected chart-topping topping this year. Kimchi, pickled cabbage, and marinated onions are injecting a zesty edge that meshes well with the creamy dairy and robust sauces of classic pies. These cultured add-ons don’t just boost probiotic intake but also inject intriguing new textures to time-honored pizza profiles.
Appearing on our menu is the Fermentation Fest pizza, topped with an in-house pickled cabbage, kimchi, and tangy gorgonzola, all balanced with a swirl of regional honey. It’s an unexpected medley that’s quickly securing its place as one of our patrons' most sought-after signature pizzas.
2. Herbal Proteins
The ascent of herbal dietary habits has corresponded with a surge in requests for pizzas adorned with inventive non-meat options. Transcending typical veggie add-ons, burgeoning novelties in herbal proteins are catering to even staunch carnivores.
Toppings such as herbal Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, tropical jackfruit in a ‘pulled pork’ style, and pea protein ‘pepperoni’ are now staples in our culinary offerings. These alternatives draw in a crowd not just for their ethical standpoint but for their distinctive tastes and reduced toll on digestion.
3. Local Pepper Varietals
For those chasing a fiery kick, 2023 is embracing a trend where pizza lovers are seeking out distinct local pepper varietals over ubiquitous crushed red pepper. Calabrian peppers uphold their popularity, with an influx of distinct peppers like Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang now garnishing our pizzas.
Our “International Heat” pizza is a journey through a blend of the four distinct peppers, each lending its individual flavor twist to separate quarters of the pizza. This spicy odyssey is particularly well-received among our more daring customers.
4. Wild-Gathered Seasonal Components
The path from the wilderness to your pizza slice has been paved with the increasing allure of wild-gathered seasonal components. Leading this trend are forest-sourced fungi, including chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms, which shine during their natural harvesting seasons.
We’ve also been crafting pizzas with wild leeks, known as ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even the aromatic spruce tips. These nature-derived ingredients offer a connection to Mother Earth while delivering tastes that cultivated crops can’t replicate.
5. Exclusive Honey Glazes
The harmonious interplay of sweet and savory brought by honey has transcended its role as a fad. Building on the prior boom of spicy honey, this year there has been a proliferation of unique honey variations being applied as a final flourish on our pizzas.
A selection including truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, woodsy mesquite honey, and even non-alcoholic beverage-infused honey are taking center stage. These finishing strokes bestow an intricate layer and transform even simple pizzas into premium experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Other contenders that narrowly missed making it into our prime five but are nonetheless creating ripples include:
- Cured egg shavings, providing a scattering of umami over your pizza like fine yellow snow.
- Preserved orchard fruits, with a preference for stone fruits such as aplums and apricots.
- Ancient grains such as crispy emmer wheat or puffed kafir for added crunch.
- Speciality crafted butters, like fermented or herbed butters, dolloped for richness.
Whether your palate favors the time-tested classics or you're eager to explore avant-garde pairings, pizza's adaptability continues to endear it to a global audience. Here at WorldConnectPortal, we revere the old-fashioned while wholeheartedly welcoming innovation—so whether you're craving a classic Margherita or a groundbreaking concoction, you will discover flavors that resonate on our menu.
Which of these modern toppings have you experienced? Or perhaps you have an inventive blend in mind that you’d like to see us attempt? Drop your thoughts in the comments below or during your next visit!