Each new year introduces fresh trends in the pizza sphere, and 2023 has its own unique flair. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we keep a keen eye on what flavors are delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Let us introduce you to this year's top pizza toppings that are creating buzz.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has influenced pizza offerings, as fermented vegetables make a surprising topping choice this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions infuse pizzas with a sophisticated tartness that pairs well with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These fermented options don't just offer probiotic goodness; they also add a new dimension of texture to classic pizza profiles.
Fermentation Celebration is our new pizza that showcases our homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all balanced with a sweet touch of local honey. This combo, while novel, is swiftly becoming a top request for our craft pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people adopt plant-based diets, the demand for pizzas with inventive meat substitutes has surged. Beyond ordinary veggie toppings, recent advances in plant-based proteins have unveiled alternatives that appeal to even the most ardent carnivores.
Highlights on our menu now include plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These innovative proteins cater to a broad customer base, offering distinctive tastes and a lighter dietary impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 heralds a newfound appreciation for unique regional chili varieties on pizza, changing the game from standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their stronghold in popularity, other varieties such as the aromatic Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, zesty Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are coming into the spotlight on pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza on our menu is a tasting journey, offering a blend of four distinctive chili types, each imbuing a unique spicy flavor profile to the various sections of the pizza, catering to the more daring guests.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing ethos has evolved to include wild, foraged ingredients, with foraged pizzas growing in appeal. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods when in season.
We're also exploring the use of wild ramps, seaside greens like dulse and nori, and even piney spruce tips, adding an aromatic twist. These wild-harvested ingredients offer an authentic taste of nature and impart flavors that can't be replicated in cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey's sweetness with savory elements has secured its place on our pizza menu. Specialty honeys such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, rich mesquite honey, and honey with CBD have found their way onto pizzas, drizzled on right before serving for enhanced depth and a gourmet edge.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that are also gaining traction, though not making our top five, include:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over pizza for a rich finishing touch
- Pickled stone fruits, with peaches and plums gaining popularity
- Whole grains for crunchy texture, like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisan butter, including cultured or herbed variations for richness
Pizza's inherent versatility endears it to food enthusiasts, whether they favor classic tastes or seek novel flavor mashups. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we celebrate age-old traditions while also embracing culinary progress, evident in our range of pizzas from the time-honored Margherita to avant-garde creations.
Have you enjoyed any of these current topping trends? Or is there a unique blend you're eager to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!