Each year ushers in fresh tastes in the pizza scene, and 2023 is no different. At CalmSettlement, keeping tabs on global pizza preferences is our forte. We present to you our list of vibrant and sought-after pizza toppings that have created a buzz this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health garners attention, fermented vegetables have surged in popularity atop pizzas. Adding a flair of zest with kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions, these fermented choices offer gut-friendly probiotics and innovative textures that enhance the traditional pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, dressed with artisanal sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, and drizzled with regional honey, challenges the norm yet is swiftly climbing our most popular specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has prompted a surge in pizza toppings that feature inventive meat substitutes. Move beyond typical veggies - plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, tender jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni have made their way onto our roster. These selections appeal to not just vegetarians but anyone seeking distinctive tastes and a lighter meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who love some zest, 2023 witnesses an affinity for unique, regional chili varieties over generic pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their reign, we are now witnessing a growth in distinct flavors such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, spicy Peruvian aji amarillo, and tangy Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Try our Spice Route pizza, an amalgamation of regional chilies that invite on a flavor quest, with each section dedicated to a different chili's distinct taste. This option has particularly captured the hearts of our daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Wild, foraged toppings are the latest in the line from forest-to-table offerings. Leading this is the assortment of seasonal wild mushrooms, from chanterelles to morels. But it doesn’t stop there; we're venturing into wild leeks, oceanic greens like dulse, and even spruce tips for a distinct aroma, linking our customers to the wilderness.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey's sweetness with savory notes has long outgrown its trend status. The year has seen a burst of honey varieties enriching pizzas as a final flourish. Varied honey types such as truffle, fermented garlic, and smoky mesquite add a layer of sophistication to any pizza, elevating classic recipes to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings nearly made our top five and deserve a mention:
- Delicately cured egg yolks finely grated over the pizza creating a 'golden snow'
- Pickled stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grains including crunchy farro or puffed sorghum providing texture
- Gourmet dabs of artisanal butter such as cultured or herbed compounds
Whether you're an enthusiast of timeless classics or keen on exploring avant-garde mixes, pizza remains a universal and cherished dish. At CalmSettlement, we respect pizza-making traditions while also supporting culinary creativity which is why our menu offers both the classic Margherita and innovative specialty creations.
Have any of these experimental toppings tempted your palate? Or perhaps there's a distinctive combination you're eager to suggest? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!