Each year introduces fresh tastes to the pizza scene, and 2023 has its share of delectable trends. At HarborPass, our keen eye on global preferences informs our selection of toppings that pizza aficionados are loving this cycle.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The push toward gut-friendly foods has extended to pizza joints, with fermented veggies emerging as a fan favorite for pies this year. Infusions of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions provide a flavorful zest that surprisingly complements traditional cheesy and saucy bases. Besides the probiotic health perks, they lend a delightful new textural twist to every slice.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie is a crowd-pleaser, melding in-house sauerkraut, savory kimchi, topped with pungent gorgonzola, and finished with a sweet drizzle of regional honey to mellow the sour notes. It's a peculiar mix, but it has quickly become a top choice among our specialty selections.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The move towards green cuisine has led to a notable surge in pizza toppings that offer meat-free alternatives. Beyond typical veggie garnishes, breakthroughs in plant protein have paved the way for options that appeal to even staunch carnivores.
Choices like plant-derived Italian sausage morsels, flavorful tempeh, barbecued jackfruit, and pea-based pepperoni have found a home in our recipe book. These aren't solely for those foregoing meat—they're chosen often for their distinctive tastes and less heavy after-effects.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is a bumper year for those who crave fire in their food, seeing a trend towards specific chili types over common crushed red pepper. Established names like Calabrian chili continue to sizzle, but now there's room on pizzas for the likes of Aleppo spice, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, tangy Peruvian aji amarillo, and fiery Korean gochujang.
The Global Heat experience on our menu offers a quartet of geographic chilies, delivering distinct tastes to separate quarters of the pie. It's a peppery journey that's been a hit with our culinary adventurers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Wild, foraged produce is finding its way from the forest floor to pizza, with foraged ingredients like wild mushrooms soaring in popularity. Chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods grace our pizzas during their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been exploring with wild ramps, oceanic plants like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips that impart a unique fragrance. These foraged finds bring our customers closer to mother nature and provide flavors not replicated in commercial farming.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sophisticated fusion of sweet and savory activated by honey has become a trend with staying power. Not just typical hot honey, but 2023 has witnessed a variety of specialty honeys enhancing pizzas served across the nation.
Exotic honeys such as truffle infused, fermented garlic honey, sweet smoky mesquite, and even CBD honey have made their mark, adding a gourmet touch that lifts even basic pizzas to deluxe levels.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings nudging into our favorites include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over pies for a luscious effect
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits like peaches and apricots
- Grains of heritage, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum adding textural play
- Dollops of handmade butter, including cultured or herbed varieties for richness
No matter if you're a purist who admires time-honored toppings or someone eager to explore unconventional flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At HarborPass, we celebrate age-old recipes while embracing the new, which is why our menu boasts both the quintessential Margherita and innovative signature pies.
Have any of these topical toppings found their way to your plate? Maybe there's a distinctive blend you're eager to see us craft? Share with us in the comments or when you swing by next!