As each new year unfolds, so do fresh trends in the pizza sector, with 2023 being no different. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, staying abreast of what's delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. Below, we present the top toppings that are currently creating a buzz.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The push towards digestive wellness has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite in this year's pizza toppings. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their intricate sour notes that pair well with creamy cheese and hearty sauce. These toppings serve up probiotic perks while bringing a fresh textural twist to the pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Festivity pizza combines homemade sauerkraut and kimchi with gorgonzola, then is lightly drizzled with local honey to offset the sourness. This might seem unconventional, but it's rapidly climbed the ranks to be one of our most popular specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The wave of plant-based diets isn't subsiding, and pizzerias are noticing a surge in preferences for pizzas adorned with inventive vegetarian alternatives. Stepping beyond conventional veggie toppings, the introduction of plant-based meat substitutes is winning over even the staunchest carnivores.
We’re now serving alternatives such as plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These options are a hit not only with the vegetarian crowd but also those who gravitate towards their distinctive taste and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spicy flavors are celebrating as pizza lovers are embracing distinct types of chilis beyond common red pepper flakes. While the Calabrian chili continues to be beloved, we’re now seeing the incorporation of chilies like the smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a mix of four distinct regional chilies, each delivering its own flavor profile to different sections of the pizza, a hit with our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The journey from the forest to the pizza has gained momentum through the integration of seasonally foraged components. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up on our pizzas in their prime seasons.
We've been experimenting with wild leeks known as spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive fragrant qualities. These elements forge a connection to the wild and offer flavors not attainable in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The dynamic interplay of sweet and savory from honey drizzles has established itself as a mainstay. The trend of hot honey of yesteryear has evolved, leading to the rise in unique varieties of honey being used as final pizza garnishes in 2023.
Among these are the luxurious truffle honey, complex fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and others, all contributing to a sophisticated pizza experience.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that nearly made our list but are still noteworthy include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a flavorful touch
- Pickled fruits such as peaches and plums, adding a sweet and acidic balance
- Grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum, lending an interesting bite
- Pats of artisanal butter, with varieties like cultured or herbed butter, for added richness
No matter if you're someone who honors timeless toppings or one who seeks out novel flavor blends, pizza remains an infinitely customizable and universally cherished dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we salute tradition while also welcoming innovation, evident through our offering of both old-school Margherita and avant-garde pizzas.
Have any of these modern toppings caught your fancy? Or do you have a special topping mix you'd wish to see? Tell us in the comments or during your next visit to our establishment!