The pizza scene in 2023 has been invigorated with fresh gastronomical trends. At SilverValley, our goal is to stay attuned to the evolving palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. We've curated a list of this year's most sought-after and innovative pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Embracing gut wellness, fermented veggies have emerged as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Offerings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are building a fanbase with their complex zesty taste that balances out the creamy cheese and rich sauce. These ingredients aren't just a source of probiotics; they also bring a new dimension of texture to classic pizzas.
The Gut-Friendly Fiesta pie at our kitchen is crafted with home-fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, plus Gorgonzola cheese, with a touch of local honey for a sweet counterbalance. This quirky mix is rapidly climbing the charts as one of our trademark pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise in plant-based diets has brought a noticeable uptick in the demand for meat substitutions on pizzas. Moving beyond typical veggie toppings, the latest crop of plant-based protein innovations pleases even the staunchest meat enthusiasts.
Our menu now boasts plant-derived Italian sausage crumbles, herb-infused tempeh, succulent jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These alternatives are favorites not only among vegetarians, but they're also popular for their distinct tastes and more digestible nature.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those craving a fiery edge, the year has seen a move from standard pepper flakes to distinct regional chili varieties. Calabrian chilies are still favored, yet now we find chilies like aromatic Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, zesty Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang starring on pizzas.
The Spicy Global Journey pie brings together a savory blend of these diverse chilies, assigning each their dedicated quadrant, for a culinary journey popular among our boldest customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Elements
From meadow to pizza, foraged seasonal items are surging in popularity. Leaders of this trend are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear seasonally.
In addition to mushrooms, our experiments have included spring wild garlic, sea greens like dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips to cast an aromatic spell. These components forge a connection to nature, presenting flavors not found in the commercial sphere.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet and savory achieved with honey has cemented its status beyond a mere fad. Culinary artisans in 2023 have been playing with varied honey infusions, served as a finishing drizzle on pizzas.
Exotic varieties such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and honey with infused CBD are found across diners' plates, adding sophisticated complexity to even the most basic pizza combinations, lifting them to a fine dining level.
Honorable Mentions
Not making the top five but definitely worth noting are several other innovative toppings:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over pizzas for a touch of opulence
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Crunchy ancient grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Dollops of artisan butter, including cultured and herbed varieties
Whether you cling to time-honored classics or embrace the avant-garde in pizza customizations, it remains among the most versatile and beloved dishes. At SilverValley, we pay homage to tradition while welcoming the new, which is why you will discover as much devotion to a classic Margherita as to our innovative pies.
Have you experimented with any of these trending pizza additions? Or do you have an extraordinary topping combination you'd like us to consider? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!