As we progress through the year, those in the pizza industry witness new waves of culinary fads, and 2023 has its share of fresh trends. At CentralResourceCatalog, we constantly stay updated with the flavors that are tantalizing the palates of our pizza aficionados worldwide. This is a digest of the top pizza toppings that are current favorites.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The spotlight on digestive wellness has expanded to include pizza, with fermented vegetable toppings emerging as a surprising favorite. Offerings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions provide pizzas with layers of tangy tastes that perfectly offset the creamy cheese and hearty sauces. These toppings aren't just brimming with probiotics; they also add a new, delightful textural aspect to the usual pizza.
Fermentation Fiesta is our latest creation, boasting in-house sauerkraut, handmade kimchi, and bold gorgonzola cheese, all harmonized with a drizzle of local honey to counterbalance the sourness. This mix might seem unconventional, yet it's swiftly climbing up the ranks as one of our most popular offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-centric diets has prompted an upward trajectory in the appeal of pizzas dotted with inventive meat substitutes. Going beyond simple veggies, the advent of plant-based proteins has ushered in alternatives that even true meat devotees approve of.
Choices like vegan Italian sausage bits, spiced tempeh, jackfruit in a 'pulled pork' style, and pea protein 'pepperoni' have become staples in our selection. These alternatives have found favor not just among vegetarians but also with those who relish their distinct tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who appreciate a touch of spice, the year has been favorable, with pizza lovers opting for specific regional chili varieties over conventional crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to be a top pick, varieties like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are increasingly gracing our pizzas.
The Global Heatwave pizza is a journey through spice, with a quartet of distinct regional chilies granting each slice a singular flavor adventure. It's become a hit with our diners who prefer a walk on the wild side.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started as the farm-to-table concept has transformed into a forage-to-pizza phenomenon thanks to a surge in popularity for seasonally foraged ingredients. Taking the lead in this trend are wild mushrooms, especially sought-after types like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushroom, which appear on menus in alignment with their natural growing seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, our experiments have stretched to include early spring ramps (wild leeks), sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive aromatic property. These wild ingredients offer a taste of untouched nature and provide flavors that are impossible to replicate through farming.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory imparted by honey has secured its place beyond a culinary whim. Expanding on the hot honey trend, 2023 has burst forth with a selection of specialty honeys lacing pizzas just prior to serving.
Luxe varieties like truffle-infused honey, honey seasoned with fermented garlic, mesquite honey with a smoky hint, and even CBD honey have made their mark on menus nationwide, lending their intricate flavors to heighten even simple pizza recipes to a high-end experience.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings nearly made it to our top but are nonetheless spicing up the scene:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over pizzas, resembling a dusting of edible gold flakes
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Whole grain accents, such as crispy farro or sorghum pops that add a crunchy texture
- Touches of artisanal butters, especially types enriched with cultured flavors or blended with herbs
Whether you hold a penchant for tried-and-true classics or take delight in embarking on gustatory adventures with inventive pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At CentralResourceCatalog, we pay homage to tradition as we embrace the wave of innovation — that's why our menu features both the timeless Margherita and avant-garde specialty pies.
Are any of these contemporary toppings familiar to you? Or do you have an exceptional topping combo in mind that you'd love us to try out? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!