The Unexpected Pepper That Gives Pizza A Pop Of Vibrant Flavor

Pizza is a globally enjoyed shareable provision that's just as timeless as it is reinventable. Although you can garnish a pizza with just about any fixing you can think of, one of the biggest mistakes you can make when baking a pizza is selecting the wrong toppings. While pepperoni, tomatoes, and mushrooms are timeless options, the classics can get old. By crowning a pizza with rare and uniquely flavorful toppings, you can transform your homemade recipe into a family heirloom that might just make its way through generations. Enter Peppadew — the lipstick-red pepper that will up your pizza game without stirring up any controversy.

Peppadew is the brand name of a company that popularized pickled piquanté peppers. A relatively new cultivar that was discovered in South Africa by the founder of Peppadew in the 1990s, these treasured piquanté peppers are unseeded and preserved in a pickling brine. They flaunt an on-the-nose sweetness accented by undercurrents of spicy warmth and tangy acidity that mingles well with rich, creamy cheeses and zippy red sauce. In addition to their multi-dimensional flavor profile, a bite of Peppadew peppers is crunchy, firm, and refreshing. But when baked into a pizza, they tenderize for a juicy mouthfeel. Not only is their texture and taste one-of-a-kind, but the bright red color of Peppadew peppers enhances the visual aesthetic of your pizza, making it as eye-catching as it is mouthwatering.

Peppadew peppers marry well with both classic and funky pizza toppings, ensuring that your options for building the perfect Sicilian-inspired slices are anything but limited. From meaty toppings to vegetarian trimmings and sweet or savory accents, consider the best Peppadew pairings before assembling your pizza.

Crispy, smoky bacon bits topped with hot honey are a perfect Peppadew pairing. At once savory, tangy, and sweet, this pork and pepper pizza is an instant crave-curbing classic that the whole family can enjoy. If bacon isn't your thing, opt for crunchy pepperoni cups instead. Looking for vegetarian options? Pair Peppadew peppers with umami-blasted mushrooms or Mediterranean-inspired olives. Just don't forget a swirl of herbaceous, savory pesto to top things off.

If you want to put that tangy, fiery Peppadew flavor at the center of your pizza, opt for mild-tasting cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta. For a complex and nutty accent, you can never go wrong with a flurry of freshly grated Parmesan. A classic red sauce is a sturdy, tried-and-true, and harmonious selection for Peppadew pizza, but a more subdued creamy white sauce can effectively amplify its unique flavors. Dare we suggest integrating Peppadew peppers into your homemade pizza sauce recipe?

Whether you keep it simple or dress it up with a tapestry of ingredients, a Peppadew-topped pizza is a guaranteed masterpiece. Although it's just one of many underrated pizza toppings, Peppadew is one of the most colorful, creative, and cultivated.