As we sail through the year, the domain of pizza is enriched by freshly emerged gastronomic trends. At StreamStonePath, staying ahead of what enthralls pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. Brace yourself for a divulgence of this year’s most enthralling and beloved pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizzerias are increasingly focusing on digestive wellness, adding fermented veggies as an unexpectedly popular topping choice. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions infuse a complex zest that complements the creamy cheese and sauce textures. These toppings are a probiotic powerhouse, bringing an innovative twist to the classic pizza.
Our Fermentation Celebration pizza boasts our own house-made sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with gorgonzola cheese and a touch of local honey to temper the sour notes. While it may seem unconventional, it's ascending the charts as one of our most coveted specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based dining habits has spurred an uptick in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. We’ve moved beyond ordinary veggie toppings, thanks to plant-protein innovations that are tempting even the staunchest carnivores.
Options such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit as a pulled pork substitute, and pea protein pepperoni have become stars on our menu. These proteins are a hit not just among vegetarians but for their distinctive tastes and a gentler gastrointestinal impact as well.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for fiery flavors are thrilled by the 2023 wave of pizzas featuring distinct regional chili varieties, moving past the ubiquitous red pepper flakes. Still adored, Calabrian chilies share the spotlight with the smokey ñora chilies from Spain, sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
We've concocted the “Global Heat” pizza, a global spice trek with a collection of four distinctive regional chilies, individually flavoring the pizza quadrants. It’s a hot hit with our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has transformed into forest-to-pizza with foraged ingredients’ soaring popularity. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles and morels, featured during their peak seasons.
Explorations beyond fungi have led us to include wild ramps, coastal greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These components forge a bond with the wilderness and deliver incomparable flavors that you can't farmraise.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey’s sweetness against savory tones has become well established, not merely a fleeting fad. With the ongoing adulation of spicy honey, 2023 welcomes a surge in pizzas adorned with unique honey varieties prior to serving.
Infusions range from truffle to fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and honey variant infused with cannabinoids. These drizzles, acting as the final flourish, amplify and refine even the simplest pies to a high-end level.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings with notable mentions that are also influencing the landscape include:
- Delicately cured egg yolks, grated over the pizza providing a rich essence
- Pickled fruits, particularly the likes of peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain finishers, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Exquisite spreads of artisan butter, especially those cultured or combined with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who treasures timeless toppings or a culinary trailblazer eager to experience audacious new blends, pizza remains one of the most versatile and endeared dishes worldwide. At StreamStonePath, we revere tradition whilst welcoming new ventures. That’s why our menu is a balanced mix, featuring both the ageless Margherita and avant-garde creations.
Eager to sample these trending toppings? Or perhaps you’re craving a distinct fusion not yet on our menu? We invite your feedback in the comments or during your forthcoming visit!