Each new year introduces fresh trends in pizza cuisine, and 2023 has its own distinct flavors. At ExplorationSunlimited, our team constantly tracks the evolving preferences of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Below is a compilation of the top pizza toppings that have stood out this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive health has become a prioritized aspect in pizza making, with fermented vegetables making a surprising entrance. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and cured onions are introducing deep sour notes that match the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These tasty toppings are beneficial for gut health and bring a novel textural twist to classic pizzas.
The Fermentation Festivity pizza is our newest creation, showcasing our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a sweet local honey drizzle to soften the sour flavor. It may be an unconventional mix, but its rising demand suggests otherwise.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend toward plant-based diets is showing no signs of slowing down, leading to increased interest in meat-free pizza options. Instead of the familiar veggie toppings, the emergence of plant protein substitutions has been warmly received even by staunch carnivores.
Menu additions now include meatless Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit-based pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These alternatives have won patrons over not just for their ethical benefits but also for their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who enjoy spiciness, the year has brought an enthusiasm for distinct regional chili flavors, moving past the common crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to be popular, varieties like the Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now garnishing pizzas.
The Global Spice pizza presents a selection of four diverse chilies, each lending a unique flavor to different sections of the pizza, a concept that has garnered interest from our daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection to local produce has expanded from farms to forests, with seasonal gathered ingredients becoming increasingly favored. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms that appear when in season.
We've also been incorporating other wild ingredients like spring ramps, sea vegetables including dulse and nori, and spruce tips, bringing a distinctive essence from the great outdoors to our pizzas.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The honey trend continues to endure with its sweet-and-savory balance. Expanding on the recent hot honey trend, this year has unveiled a variety of unique honeys embellishing pizzas right before they're served.
Examples now spotted on menus include truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enhanced honey. These toppings contribute complex notes and transform even the simplest pizzas to a deluxe meal.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings almost making it to our top list, but still notable, include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas like a dusting of gold
- Marinated fruits, in particular stone fruits such as apricots and cherries
- Ancient grains for added crunch, like toasted farro or sorghum
- Boutique butters, notably cultured or mixed herb butters
No matter if you stick to the timeless classics or are open to experimental flavors, pizza remains among the most versatile and loved dishes. At ExplorationSunlimited, we respect the classics while welcoming new ideas – it's the reason our menu boasts both the traditional Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these contemporary toppings? Or do you have a distinctive favorite mixture you'd love for us to feature? Share with us in the comment section or during your next visit to our place!