As each year unfolds, it unveils new gastronomic fads within the pizza realm, and 2023 is no different. At ExploringThePast, keeping track of what tantalizes the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. We present to you a curated list of this year's most buzzworthy and favored pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Incorporating gut-friendly food has soared in popularity, and pizzerias are not lagging, with fermented vegetables topping pizzas as an unexpected trend. Varieties like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add a sophisticated sourness that perfectly balances the creamy cheeses and sauces. These toppings aren't just tasty—they also serve up probiotics and introduce new textural elements to the typical pizza profile.
The Fermentation Celebration pizza at our establishment includes house-prepared sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all offset by a sweet drizzle of locally sourced honey to counteract the acidity. While it's an unconventional blend, its popularity is surging as a sought-after gourmet option.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets is evident, prompting an increased interest in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond traditional vegetables, the emergence of plant-based protein has welcomed variants that even staunch carnivores enjoy.
Options such as plant-based Italian sausage pieces, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices are now staples in our kitchen. These alternatives not only cater to vegetarians but also to those who favor novel tastes and a more digestible meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor a kick of heat with their pizza, 2023 brings a specific love for regional varieties of chili over generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain adored as in previous years, but we’re also noticing a trend towards spices like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang as pizza enhancements.
The Global Heat pizza at our location offers a quartet of distinct regional chilies, with each lending its remarkable taste to the pizza's four quadrants. This offering has rapidly gained traction with our more daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing ethos has now expanded from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza, with the addition of seasonally foraged components becoming a highlight. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods during their natural growing periods.
Aside from mushrooms, our culinary experiments include early-season ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips which add an exceptional fragrant essence. These elements provide a connection to nature while offering unrivaled tastes that are simply not replicable with farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's delightful juxtaposition of sweetness against savory has now become an established garnish. These years have broadened the variety of specialty honeys available for drizzling over pizzas prior to being served.
Varieties such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even special blend honey have started to make rounds in eateries nationwide. These sweet drizzles enhance the pizzas, imparting sophisticated flavors that upgrade even the simplest pizza to a high-end culinary delight.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that have narrowly missed entering our top five but are nonetheless leaving their mark include:
- Finely grated cured egg yolks dusting the pizza akin to a golden cascade
- Preserved fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and nectarines
- Ancient grains as toppings, offering crunchy elements like crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of specialty butter, including varieties cultured with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who cherishes the timeless classics or someone eager to explore bold new flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and universally cherished dishes. At ExploringThePast, we pay homage to pizza-making traditions while heralding culinary innovation—that's why our menu features both the time-honored Margherita and avant-garde specialty pies.
Have any of these topping trends caught your attention? Or perhaps there's a distinctive topping combination you'd love to see us introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments or drop by for a visit to let us know!