Each new year introduces fresh trends in the pizza industry, and the year 2023 is not an exception. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we continuously observe what gourmet preferences are charming pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here's our compilation of the most intriguing and sought-after pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The concern for a healthy gut has entered pizza kitchens, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected success atop pizza this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending their complex, sour notes that marry well with the creamy cheese and savoury sauce. These fermented options deliver probiotic benefits and introduce interesting textural variety to the traditional pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fest pie at our restaurant boasts in-house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, highlighted with a local honey drizzle to soften the sour flavor. Although it may seem atypical, it’s swiftly gaining popularity as a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-centric diets has caused a notable boost in the demand for pizzas adorned with creative meat substitutes. Beyond ordinary veggie toppings, advanced plant-based proteins are providing alternatives that have even hardcore carnivores excited.
Plant-sourced crumbs mimicking Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit prepared in a pulled pork style, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices are now staple elements on our menu. These offerings cater to more than just vegetarians—they allure many guests with their distinctive tastes and a lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who adore spiciness, the year 2023 has witnessed connoisseurs of pizza embrace specific regional chili types over your average red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have continued their streak from past years, we now notice Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, aromatic Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang adorning pizzas.
Our fiery International Heat pizza presents a combination of four different chilies from around the world, each adding its distinct taste to individual pizza quarters. It’s a sizzling experience that's particularly favored by our daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local food movement has branched out into what can be termed forest-to-table, with the increasing embrace of seasonally foraged elements. Leading this trend, distinct types of wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, grace our pizzas at different times, depending on when they're in season.
Apart from fungi, we've been experimenting with wild ramps, marine plants like dulse and nori, and even fir tree tips for a distinctive scent. These components offer our patrons a connection to the wilderness while introducing them to flavors that cannot be found in cultivated products.
5. Boutique Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweetness and savor introduced by honey has secured its place as more than a fleeting fad. Progressing from the popularity of hot honey in past seasons, 2023 welcomes an array of boutique honey types gracing pizzas upon service.
Honeys infused with truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even CBD are gracing culinary establishments nationwide. Such final touches bring depth and sophisticate even the simplest pizza creations into high-end cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that have narrowly missed out on our principal list but still deserve recognition include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas to resemble a cascade of gold
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain garnishes like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet dollops of butter, particularly those infused with herbs or cultured origins
No matter if you're a purist who adores time-honored toppings or an intrepid soul eager for novel tastes, pizza retains its status as a global culinary chameleon. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we honor age-old customs while also leading the charge in culinary creativity—that's why you'll encounter both the classic Margherita and avant-garde specialty pies on our menu.
Have any of these top-trending toppings caught your interest? Or do you have an exceptional topping blend you'd wish to see us introduce? Share with us in the comment section or during your next visit!