Each year introduces fresh pizza culinary trends, and 2023 stands true to this, with savory innovations popping up globally. At ContentHaven, we closely follow and analyze what flavors are captivating pizza aficionados. Here's our selection of the top trending pizza toppings for the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health is spilling into the pizza scene, with fermented vegetables taking center stage as an unexpected favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with a zesty flavor that enhances the creamy cheesiness. These toppings don't just offer probiotics; they also add a new layer of texture to the classic pizza foundation.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza is topped with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and bold gorgonzola, with a sweet local honey drizzle to soften the sour notes. It's an unconventional mix, but it's becoming a highly demanded option on our specialty pizza list.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The upward trajectory of plant-based diets is influencing a spike in demand for pizzas adorned with alternative meat options. Moving past the usual veggies, the emergence of plant-based substitutes is satisfying those with a penchant for meat.
Items like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, savory tempeh bits, marinated jackfruit posing as pulled pork, and pea protein-based pepperoni have found their way onto our roster. These toppings capture the attention not only of vegetarians but also of customers looking for distinct flavors and a lighter meal experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who love a touch of spice, 2023 is the year where specific regional chili varieties are getting their time to shine, replacing the common red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to be a favorite, with newcomers like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chili, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang adding to the variety of flavors offered.
Try our adventurous Heatwave Sampler pizza, adorned with a quartet of regional chilies, each lending its distinctive taste to the pizza's quadrants. This spicy escapade is a hit with our most daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table concept extends its reach with foraged ingredients finding their way onto pizzas. Wild mushrooms are leading the pack, with sought-after types such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods making their mark during their natural growing seasons.
Our culinary experiments include using spring ramps, sea-sourced plants like dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips. These ingredients bring our customers closer to nature and provide flavors not available through commercial farming.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's sweet and savory dynamic has gone from fleeting trend to pizza menu staple over the years. In 2023, we've seen the introduction of various specialty honey drizzles such as luxurious truffle honey, fermented garlic-infused honey, smoky mesquite-flavored honey, and others gracing the top of pizzas, giving them a sophisticated flair right before service.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings that are just outside our main list but have been gaining attention include:
- Cured egg yolks gracefully grated atop pizzas for a rich burst of flavor
- Brined fruits, with stone fruits such as peaches and plums leading the trend
- Ancient grains for texture, like crunchy popped sorghum or crispy farro
- Gourmet dabs of artisanal butter, including cultured varieties and those with mixed-in herbs
Pizza remains an incredibly adaptable and cherished dish worldwide, whether you enjoy timeless classics or experimenting with new, bold tastes. At ContentHaven, we value time-honored traditions while looking forward to culinary creativity. That's why you'll find both quintessential Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas in our offering.
Have you tasted any of these new toppings? Or perhaps you have an imaginative topping combo you'd like to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!