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A ‘Pizz-A’ Heaven

Mary Burich | October 18, 2021

People

Explore trends from the 2021 International Pizza Expo & Conference

Trends Worth Watching In Pizza

  • First Job

    Plant-Based Pizza Toppings

  • Seeded Crusts

  • Number Three

    Infused Fresh Cream

  • Number Four

    Cacio e Pepe

  • Number Five

    Hot Honey

Hormel Foods launched its Happy Little Plants® brand in 2019 as a delicious alternative to pork, beef, chicken and the like. In 2021, it expanded the line with a Happy Little Plants® selection that serves as a tasty, veggie-based topping for those who crave meatless pepperoni. Given the company’s cred in this space – Hormel® pepperoni is the No. 1 brand in America – the hype is real.

“Since Hormel knows about great tasting pepperoni, it is putting its expertise to the test. The Happy Little Plants® pepperoni-style topping is a bold flavor in the plant-based food space. Blending the seasonings of paprika, garlic and peppers, this flavorful offering could make even that staunch carnivore satisfied,” Struble said.

Next up, seeded crusts. “For some people, the crust is the best part of the pizza,” she wrote. Why not show it some love with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, everything seasoning. The options are endless. “Just make sure that the flavors do not overwhelm each other,” Struble warned.

Panichelli’s next trend is harder to imagine: infused fresh cream that “elevates the flavor” and “turns pizza into a culinary adventure.”

Cacio e pepe – translated as cheese and pepper, and celebrated for its simplicity – is gracing pizza these days as well. Along with the trend of drizzling hot honey on your pie, it might not be for everyone. Nor will it likely rival the classic pepperoni pie as our go-to, but isn’t it fun to change it up a bit?

Especially if you’re going to be eating it for the rest of your life.

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