Each new year introduces fresh trends in pizza gastronomy, and 2023 is no different. At ToastBagelMash, keeping up with global pizza aficionados' evolving tastes is a priority. Here's our compiled list of this year's most sought-after and intriguing pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive health has traversed into the realm of pizza making, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their intricate zesty flavors that harmonize with the luxuriant taste of cheese and tomatoes. Not only do these toppings offer probiotic advantages, but they also add new textural variants to the conventional pizza recipe.
Introducing our Fermentation Fiesta pizza featuring in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all layered and balanced with a sweet touch of local honey to mitigate the sourness. This blend may seem unconventional, but it's climbing the charts as one of our top specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend towards plant-centric diets persists, shown by the escalated demand for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Going beyond routine veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins present solutions that enthrall even the most steadfast carnivores.
Options such as vegan Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork in a marinade, and pea protein pepperoni have become staples on our menu. These alternative proteins have won over not just vegetarians but also patrons keen on their distinctive tastes and gentler after-meal experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those chasing a spicy kick, 2023 has seen a shift among pizza enthusiasts to specific and unique types of regional chilies instead of the usual crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, other contenders such as the smoky ñora chilies from Spain, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are growing in popularity as toppings.
The Global Heat pizza comes garnished with a blend of four distinct regional chilies, each introducing its particular flavor to sections of the pie. It's become a hot pick for our customers who like to travel the world through their taste buds.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
A nod to the forest-to-table progression, foraged seasonal ingredients have increased in popularity as pizza toppings. Leading this pattern are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, gracing pizzas in their peak seasons.
In addition to fungi, we've been utilizing springtime ramps (wild leeks), various sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips that impart a distinctive aromatic flair. These natural ingredients offer unique flavors that aren't replicable with cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The union of sweet and savory from honey has become entrenched as more than just a fad. Expanding on the success of spicy honey from prior years, 2023 has welcomed a myriad of novel honey variations applied as a finishing touch on pizzas.
Varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey with a smoky undertone, and honey infused with CBD are finding their way onto pizza menus nationwide. These drizzles add a layer of complexity, transforming even simple pizza creations into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Several other exciting toppings that narrowly missed making our top five list include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas like golden dust
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, introducing textures like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisanal butters, including varieties such as cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether you side with classical tastes or are an epicurean open to daring new flavors, pizza remains among the most adaptable and cherished dishes worldwide. At ToastBagelMash, we pay homage to time-honored traditions yet are also enthusiasts of contemporary innovation—which is reflected in our mix of traditional Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have these trending toppings made it to your plate yet? Maybe you have an original topping idea you'd like to see us incorporate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or drop by for a chat!