Each new year introduces fresh gastronomic fads in the realm of pizza, and 2023 has brought its distinctive flair. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, our attention is consistently on the toppings that entice the palates of pizza aficionados internationally. Here is a compilation of this year's most vibrant and sought-after pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive wellness has travelled into pizzerias, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are imparting complex, tangy tastes that balance out the creamy texture of cheese and tomato sauce. These fermented options are not only nutritious, providing probiotics, but they also introduce new textural components to classical pizza creations.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza offers our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, with a touch of regional honey to temper the sourness. Although the mix may appear unconventional at first, it's fast becoming one of our top-requested signature pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-centric diets gain traction, there has been a noticeable increase in the demand for pizzas topped with inventive meatless alternatives. Beyond typical veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins have developed choices that even staunch carnivores can enjoy.
Options like plant-derived crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now staples on our menu. These protein choices are not exclusive to vegetarians; many of our patrons pick them for their distinctive tastes and gentleness on the stomach.
3. Specialty Chili Varieties
Those who enjoy spiciness are thrilled! This year, pizza lovers are gravitating towards specific types of regional chilies rather than standard pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have persisted in popularity from past years, we're now observing a presence of Aleppo peppers, the smokiness of Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza includes an array of four distinct regional chilies, each offering its unique flavor to different quarters of the pizza—a fiery journey much appreciated by our boldest customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Additions
The farm-to-table ideology has branched into the forest-to-pizza trend with foraged, seasonal ingredients gaining favor. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing on pizzas during their fresh seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been using spring ramps (wild leeks), marine plants like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to convey a distinct aromatic touch. These ingredients not only offer flavors that aren't available in cultivated produce but also deepen our connection to the natural world.
5. Exotic Honey Drizzles
The contrast of sweet and savory flavors brought by honey has solidified its place as a lasting component of pizza. Expanding from the recent surge of spicy honey, this year has brought a diversity of unique honey variants as toppings on pizzas.
Drizzles such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-laden honey are now found on dining menus nationwide. These final touches offer complexity and transform even the most straightforward pizza combinations into culinary delights.
Honorable Mentions
A few toppings that narrowly missed our top five yet remain prominent include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a splash of savory decadence
- Pickled fruits, notably stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain toppings, like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum, providing extra texture
- Plops of artisan butter (especially cultured or herbed compound varieties)
Whether you're someone who favors the timeless classics or you're willing to step out of the box and sample innovative pairings, pizza remains a universally cherished and adaptable dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we're committed to honoring established traditions while simultaneously pushing the envelope of innovation. Hence, our offerings range from the time-honored Margherita to avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have you explored any of these trending toppings? Or perhaps you have a bespoke favorite you'd like to see featured on our menu? We'd love to hear about it, so please drop your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!