Each year, the pizza scene is refreshed with new flavors, and 2023 is no different. Here at SunRidgePath, our mission is to stay ahead of what pizza aficionados worldwide are craving. We're excited to share with you this year's most sought-after and innovative pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Veggies
The conversation on gut health hasn't bypassed the pizza industry, with fermented veggies appearing as an unexpected favorite atop pizza creations. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a zesty taste that beautifully offsets the heavy cheese and tomato base. Besides gut-friendly probiotics, these ingredients add an intriguing textural layer to classic pizza profiles.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, which boasts homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all delicately balanced with a touch of local honey to soften the sharp flavors. It might seem unconventional, but it's rapidly becoming one of the standouts on our menu.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
The surge of interest in plant-based diets has been matched by a similar surge in plant-based pizza toppings that serve as substitutes for meat. We've introduced an array of new toppings that go beyond just veggies, catering to the tastes of die-hard carnivores as well.
We now serve plant-based Italian sausage, herb-infused tempeh, jackfruit 'pulled pork,' and pea protein 'pepperoni.' These inventive toppings are not exclusive to those on plant-based diets; their distinctive flavors and lighter feel appeal to a broad range of our patrons.
3. Specific Chilis
Those with a penchant for fiery toppings are embracing special chili varieties. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, exciting new additions like Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now taking spots on pizza pies.
Our Global Spice pizza offers a quartet of these regional chilis, each lending its unique heat and savor to individual sections of the pizza. This spicy concoction is particularly well-received by our more daring patrons.
4. Wild Foraged Ingredients
The push towards locally-sourced food has expanded into the use of wild foraged elements. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms emerging during their specific growing seasons.
Additionally, we're incorporating wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips for their one-of-a-kind scent. These wild-sourced ingredients create unique tastes not found in cultivated crops and draw a direct connection to nature.
5. Rare Honey Drizzles
Honey has proven its longevity in the sweet-savory niche, particularly on pizza. This year continues the hot honey trend but adds an array of exquisite honey types drizzled over pizzas after baking.
We're seeing truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and even CBD-rich honey elevate commonplace pizzas to the realm of fine dining with their nuanced flavors.
Noteworthy Extras
Other toppings that have narrowly missed making the top list but are certainly worth mentioning include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas, presenting a visually stunning and flavorful garnish
- Pickled summer fruits, offering a bright tanginess, especially with peaches and plums
- Ancient grains for added texture, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet butter spots, particularly those of the cultured or herb-infused variety that melt into the warm surface
Whether one's preference is the classic pizza or the thrill of new flavor combinations, pizza remains a universally loved dish. At SunRidgePath, respect for time-honored recipes is coupled with the zest for new tastes, which is why our menu hosts both the beloved Margherita and innovative pies.
What's your take on these trending toppings? Do you have a favorite that you'd like to see on our menu? We're eager to hear your thoughts in the comments, or tell us during your next visit!