Having fruit on a pizza may divide a room, but according to research from UK frozen pizza brand, Chicago Town, fruit on pizza is a trend to watch out for this year.
The research revealed that pizza lovers are keen to get a taste of fruity freshness on pizza, with blueberries and figs now sitting alongside pineapple as a trending topping.
Other wacky and wonderful trends to watch out for in 2022 also include spice, via the likes of hot honey, and slow cooked meats, as customers look to jazz up their pizza eating experience.
In response to the increasing popularity of more left-field toppings, and after taking inspiration directly from the streets of Chicago, Chicago Town is sampling a new festival exclusive Deep Dish flavour at four major UK festivals this summer, the all new sausage and blueberry.
Rachel Bradshaw, Marketing Manager at Chicago Town said: “We’re always looking to excite pizza lovers with new and exciting flavours and concepts, so we keep a watchful eye on the latest trends.
“The age-old ‘pineapple on a pizza’ debate continues, but it’s so interesting to see this evolve into other wacky and wonderful toppings too. Our trips to Chicago inspired our festival exclusive sausage and blueberry Deep Dish.”
Other eye-catching emerging trends include:
Fruit
Adding a dose of colour, and a sweet-savoury flavour boost, fruits are increasingly adorning favourite pizzas. Pineapple is being reinvented in the form of pickles and chutneys, as well as smoked and charred variations on this polarising tropical fruit.
Spice
Sizzling flavours on the horizon to complement the creaminess of mountains of gooey cheese include hot honey, n’duja, chorizo and spicy sausage.
Slow cooked meats
Delightfully slow cooked meat is finding its way on top of pizzas. From pulled pork and slow cooked ragu to braised beef, slow cooked meats offer big flavour benefits in simple ways.
Aesthetics
Whilst a perfectly cooked crust and oozing cheese has its place, it’s all about getting bold and colourful on top to catch the eye. Brightly coloured drizzles of truffle mayo, pesto, oils and other sauces, as well as rainbow vegetable toppings and fresh green herbs are becoming popular, claimed Chicago Town.