New trends in pizza toppings emerge year after year, and 2023 has its own fresh set. We at DoughMaestro's Hearth keep an eye on the flavors that are capturing the hearts of pizza enthusiasts across the world. Here is our list of the top pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastric health considerations have spilled into the pizza industry, with fermented vegetables unexpectedly topping pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a zesty depth to the richness of traditional cheesy pizza slices. These toppings offer beneficial probiotics while introducing unique textural elements to the pizza.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie is topped with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a topping of regional honey to offset the sour taste. This might come across as a peculiar mix, but it is gaining popularity as a specialty pizza at our place.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has led to increased demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitute toppings. Aside from the traditional veggies, new plant-based proteins have found their way onto our pizzas, pleasing even the staunchest meat aficionados.
Options such as veggie-derived Italian sausage crumbles, marinated tempeh, jackfruit 'pulled pork', and pea-based 'pepperoni' are a staple in our kitchen now. They cater not just to vegetarians but also to guests looking for new tastes and a gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Chili enthusiasts can take delight in the newfound preference for specific regional chili types over the typical red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be favored from past years, varieties such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also gaining traction on pizza menus.
Our Global Heat pizza emerges as an international spicy journey, featuring a blend of these diverse regional chilies distributed across the pizza's surface, pleasing diners who seek adventurous flavors.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started as a farm-to-table trend has broadened to include forest-to-pizza ingredients, particularly foraged items in high demand. Seasonal wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods lead this category, gracing our pizzas at different times of the year.
We also explore different seasonal ingredients like wild ramps, sea-based greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips, adding a unique twist of nature's flavors that are difficult to replicate commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
A drizzle of honey has become an established favorite for its added complexity of sweet and savory flavors on pizza. The trend continues in 2023 with a proliferation of specialty honeys like truffle honey, garlic-fermented honey, and smoky mesquite honey enhancing pizzas right before serving.
Honorable Mentions
Other remarkable toppings that just fell short of our main list, nevertheless making their own impact include:
- Grated cured egg yolks, sprinkled generously over the pizza for a rich umami punch
- Pickled fruits such as peaches and plums enriching the overall taste profile
- Heritage grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum adding an interesting crunch
- Garnishing with artisanal butters, be it cultured or infused with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who swears by the classic toppings or someone who loves experimenting with novel tastes, pizza remains a globally cherished and versatile dish. At DoughMaestro's Hearth, we honor age-old traditions while welcoming contemporary creations, making sure our menu has something for every preference—from a time-honored Margherita to our latest innovative offerings.
Are any of these trendy toppings familiar to you? Or is there an innovative flavor combination you think we should explore? Tell us in the comments, or when you drop by for a visit!