With each passing year, the pizza industry unveils new flavor waves that take our palates by surprise, and the year 2023 isn't without its revelations. Here at VerdantRidgePark, it's our mission to track the toppings that are setting pizza aficianados' hearts ablaze around the planet. Here's our curated list of the topmost exciting and favored pizza toppings that have left a mark on this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As the spotlight shines on gut wellness, pizzerias have embraced fermented veggies as an unexpected crowd-pleaser on their pies. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are injecting a layered, sharp zest that pairs beautifully with the creamy texture of cheeses and sauce. Not only do these toppings boost gut health with probiotics, but they also venture into new textural territories for classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fête pie is our outlet's latest invention, featuring in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, tied together with a local honey drizzle to smooth out the sour notes. It may seem unconventional, yet it's soaring in demand as one of our standout specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets is influencing a tangible surge in the request for pizzas laden with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond garden-variety toppings, the advent of plant-based proteins is offering satiating alternatives that even staunch carnivores can't resist.
Options such as plant-derived Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit based 'pulled pork', and pea protein 'pepperoni' are featured staples on our menu. These protein choices aren't just meant for vegans and vegetarians—many of our patrons are picking them for their distinctive tastes and their less imposing impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek spice, 2023 has been a year of embracing unique chilies from various regions over the standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue their streak, we're also spotting Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang adorning pizzas.
World of Heat pizza is our creation that combines four unique global chilies, each infusing its singular taste onto different pizza segments. It's a fiery escapade that's drawn a following amongst our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection of the pizza to the land has deepened with the rise in foraged ingredients taken directly from nature. Leader of this movement are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that crop up on pizzas in their natural seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been exploring the use of wild ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. They provide a wild flavor profile that can't be replicated in cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
A drizzle of honey has become an established mainstay for its ability to harmonize with savory notes. Expanding upon the hot honey trend in recent years, 2023 has heralded a variety of unique honey types being garnished atop pizzas just prior to serving.
Tasting notes from truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey with its smoke-infused charm, and CBD-infused honey are enhancing pizzas in eateries everywhere. A simple drizzle can transmute even the most basic pizza into a luxury experience.
Honorable Mentions
While these additional toppings didn't make it to our top five, they certainly deserve recognition for their emerging presence:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza creating a shimmering finish
- Pickled fruits, notably stone fruits like cherries and apricots
- Ancient grains for a crunch, such as toasted farro or burst sorghum
- Gourmet butter droplets, especially those enriched with culture or blended with herbal essences
No matter if you're someone who sticks to the age-old classics or a culinary explorer eager to dive into novel taste blends, pizza retains its global appeal as a versatile and universally cherished dish. Over at VerdantRidgePark, we pay our respects to the time-honored traditions of pizza making while also welcoming culinary progress. This is why our menu is adorned with both the staple Margherita and avant-garde specialty offerings.
Is there a trending topping you've had the chance to try? Or maybe there's a unique flavor pair you'd like us to feature? Drop us a comment or tell us on your next visit!