Each year, the pizza scene is reshaped with new delectable trends, as seen in 2023. At PantryCraft, we keep a close eye on the flavors that thrill pizza aficionados worldwide. Here are the top pizza toppings that are currently in the spotlight.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains focus, fermented vegetables are taking over pizzas, with kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions adding intriguing tangy tastes that pair well with the creamy cheese and sauce presence. These tangy additions offer beneficial probiotics and bring new textures to the traditional pizza slice.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a combination of homemade kimchi, sauerkraut, and gorgonzola cheese, all harmonized with local honey to soften the sour notes. While unusual, this pizza is fast becoming a sought-after specialty.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain traction, we're seeing a surge in plant-based protein toppings that go beyond the usual veggies, providing a meaty experience without the meat.
Choices like plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have been added to our selection. Their distinct flavors and gentler impact on digestion are appealing to more than just vegetarians.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who like it hot, 2023 is all about specific regional chili varieties, moving away from the standard crushed red pepper. Popular choices include Calabrian chilies, but we also see Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang being sprinkled atop pizzas.
Our International Spice pizza offers a quartet of these regional chilies, with each lending a distinct flavor to a quarter of the pizza. It's a fiery delight that has particularly resonated with our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The move from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza is spearheaded by the increasing use of foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with varieties such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing pizzas during their seasons.
We're also exploring other foraged ingredients like wild ramps, sea plants such as dulse and nori, and even the forest-scented spruce tips. These ingredients forge a connection with nature and bring flavors that can't be found in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The addition of honey to pizzas for a sweet and savory twist has become more than just a fad. In 2023, we've seen specialty honey, such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and smoky mesquite honey, increasingly being drizzled over pizzas before they're served.
These unique honey types add layers of flavor and raise even the simplest of pizzas to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that narrowly missed our top five but still deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for an indulgent touch
- Pickled fruits, with stone fruits like peaches and apricots showing up
- Heritage grains for a crunchy contrast, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Artisan butters, such as cultured or herbed varieties, for decadent dollops
No matter if you're a pizza purist or a culinary explorer, pizza's versatility makes it a universal favorite. At PantryCraft, we honor the classics while exploring new possibilities, offering a balance of traditional and innovative pizzas on our menu.
What are your thoughts on these modern toppings? Do you have a combination you'd love to see us create?