The pizza landscape never fails to delight with new trends each year, and 2023 is no different. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we're keenly observing the toppings that are capturing pizza aficionados' imaginations worldwide. Join us as we dive into this year's top trending pizza toppings that are the talk of the town.
1. Fermented Veggies
Emphasizing digestive wellness, fermented veggies have emerged as a top choice for pizzas in 2023. Toppings like tangy kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add layered flavors, perfectly complementing the rich cheeses and sauces. These fermented choices offer gut-friendly probiotics and add new textural elements to your classic pizza experience.
Our unique Fest of Fermentation pizza showcases our own sauerkraut and kimchi paired with gorgonzola cheese, all rounded out with a sweet drizzle of local honey that offsets the sour notes. While it may seem out of the ordinary, it's swiftly risen to be a fan favorite on our specialty pizza roster.
2. Protein from Plants
The surge in plant-based diets has sparked an increased appetite for pizzas adorned with innovative meat-free options. Not limited to mere veggies, the introduction of plant-based proteins has won over even true meat fans.
Options like vegan Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have carved out a place on our menu. These alternatives attract customers not only for their sustainability but for their unique tastes and ease on digestion.
3. Exotic Chili Peppers
Those who have a penchant for heat are celebrating, as pizza lovers in 2023 prefer specific chilies over generic red pepper. While Calabrian chilies are still in high demand, other varieties like the smoky ñora, Aleppo pepper, fruity aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now also embellishing pizzas.
Try our Tour of Heat pizza, which presents a mix of four different chilies, each adding their signature flavor to the pizza sections. For those seeking culinary thrills, this spicy blend has proven exceptionally popular.
4. Foraged Seasonal Finds
Turning to nature for inspiration, foraged ingredients have currently gained popularity in pizza-making. Leading the charge, unique wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appear during their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating wild ramps, ocean-harvested greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These foraged treasures connect our customers to nature and deliver undomesticated flavors.
5. Artisanal Honey Varieties
The balance sweet and savory brought by honey is now a staple on pizza menus. 2023 has witnessed a variety of signature honeys enhancing pizzas just before they're brought to the table.
Gourmet variations like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and tantalizing mesquite honey are just a few choices revolutionizing pizza garnishes. These honeys add sophistication and can transform the simplest pizzas into gourmet creations.
Noteworthy Mentions
Coming in close but not making our top list, the following are still causing ripples in the pizza topping scene:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated across the pizza for a rich, umami touch
- Marinated stone fruits like peaches and plums offering a tartness
- Ancient grains adding a crunch, such as toasty farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of artisan compound butters lending depth of flavor
Regardless if you're a purist who loves timeless classics or open to novel flavor mixes, pizza remains an incredibly customizable and globally-adored dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we respect the past while exploring the new, providing a range from classic Margheritas to avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Which of these trending toppings have you experimented with? Or maybe there's a unique blend you'd love to see us craft? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!