As the culinary landscape evolves, so does the pizza palette, and the year 2023 has not disappointed. Here at Crust & Dreamery, we keep a close eye on the flavors that are delighting the palates of pizza aficionados everywhere. Here is a list of the top pizza toppings that have taken center stage this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to digestive well-being has reached the pizza domain, with fermented veggies emerging as a hit topping this year. The zesty flavors of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions pair perfectly with creamy cheese and sauce, adding probiotic perks and unique textures to the usual pizza profile.
Take for example our Fermentation Fest pizza—a blend of homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a local honey drizzle to cut through the sour taste. This may seem like a peculiar mix, but it’s gaining rapid popularity among our patrons.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Amidst a steady increase in plant-based diets, there's been a noticeable jump in requests for pizzas topped with innovative meat substitutes. These aren't just your typical veggie toppings; cutting-edge plant-based protein offerings are satisfying even the hardiest of carnivores.
Options now gracing our menus include crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, pulled pork made from jackfruit, and pepperoni derived from pea protein. These aren't exclusive for those who eschew meat—numerous guests opt for them due to their distinct tastes and ease on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
A trend for the spice enthusiasts! This year has seen a surge in pizza fans seeking out specific regional types of chili rather than the standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be well-loved, varieties like Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, the sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have also begun topping pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza presents a blend of four different regional chilies, giving each slice of the pizza its distinct heat signature. This fiery collection has been a hit with our most daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraging has brought a piece of the wilderness to our pizzas with the inclusion of ingredients picked from the forests. Wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, lead this pack, gracing our pizzas in their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been incorporating wild ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, along with spruce tips for their aromatic essence. These wild-grown additions offer flavors that are tricky to find in cultivated goods, connecting eaters with the untamed outdoors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has proven to be more than a fleeting fascination on pizzas with its sweet and savory interplay. Building on hot honey's previous success, there's been a burst of artisanal honey types being drizzled over pizzas at the last moment before serving this year.
We're talking about rich truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, a smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey, emerging in pizza parlors nationwide. These drizzles add an extra layer of sophistication to even the simplest of pizzas.
Honorable Mentions
A few more toppings that nearly made it onto our list, but deserve a mention are:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a cheesy effect without the cheese
- Pickled stone fruits like peaches and plums, bringing a punch of acidity
- Ancient grains that add crunch and texture, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisan butter, notably cultured or compound herb butters adding richness
No matter if you favor classic flavors or look to push the boundaries with new ingredient combos, pizza remains a beloved and incredibly versatile dish. At Crust & Dreamery, we honor pizza traditions while also innovating—our menu boasts both a timeless Margherita as well as avant-garde pies.
Are there any of these trending toppings you've already savored? Maybe you have a special flavor combination you'd love to see us introduce? Share with us in the comment section or drop by for a visit!