Each year, the realm of pizza welcomes new flavors, and 2023 is no different. At SummerSunHalo, keeping tabs on what's delighting pizza aficionados worldwide is what we do best. We've compiled a list of this year's top pizza toppings that are causing a stir.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizzerias are now focusing on digestive health, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising choice for topping pizzas. Combining the depth of cheese and sauce, scrumptious picks like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add a tangy complexity. These fermented delights don't just carry probiotic goodness; they're also introducing a bold new spin on pizza textures.
Take for instance our Fermentation Fiesta pizza that boasts in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all tied together with a hint of locally sourced honey to soften the sharp flavors. This mix might be peculiar, but it's now a top request among our unique pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more diners opt for plant-based meals, requests for pizzas dressed with innovative meat substitutes have surged. Tapping into this trend, we’ve infused our menu with not just regular veggies but also plant-powered proteins that make even die-hard carnivores do a double take.
We're talking about plant-forward options like Italian sausage substitutes, spiced tempeh, jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea-protein-based pepperoni. These offerings are not limited to plant-based eaters but are popular for their distinctive tastes and ease on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice have taken to incorporating distinct chili types from various regions, moving beyond the common sprinkling of red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to please from past seasons, varieties such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now gracing pizzas with their presence.
Our Global Heat pizza presents a blend of four different chilies, each spicing up a quadrant of the pizza with its own flavor profile— a hit among our thrill-seeking patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has expanded from the field to the pizza, with the rise of seasonally foraged ingredients. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear on our pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
We've also explored other wild gifts like spring ramps, oceanic plants such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients forge a closer bond between our diners and nature and offer flavors that aren't found in cultivated foods.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The mingling of sweet and savory from honey has become an enduring hit, with 2023 witnessing a surge in unique honey types being drizzled atop pizzas right before they're served.
From truffle-infused honey to fermented garlic honey, the smoky aroma of mesquite honey, and even CBD-laced honey, these finishing touches are being sprinkled across the nation's pizzas. They add a layer of sophistication that turns even the simplest pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings nearly made our list but deserve acknowledgment for their impact include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza, offering a luxurious finish
- Pickled fruits, with a special nod to stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum, contributing textural contrast
- Dabs of artisanal butter, using varieties like cultured or seasoned with herbs
No matter if you're someone who cherishes classic tastes or someone ready to explore audacious flavor pairings, pizza is universally customizable and much-loved. Here at SummerSunHalo, we pay homage to time-honored techniques even as we explore the new—a reason you will find both the beloved Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas on offer.
Have you given these trendy toppings a go? Or is there a distinct flavor combination you're eager for us to introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!