This year has ushered in fresh food trends in the pizza sector, and 2023 is no different. At InnovativeThinking, we carefully track the emerging flavors favored by pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Below is our curated list of pizza toppings garnering popularity this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With a growing emphasis on gut wellness, fermented veggies have emerged as an unexpected topping choice on pizzas. Foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are adding savory, tart flavors, enriching the taste profile with their complex palate. Not only do they offer gut-supporting probiotics, but they also bring new textures to the timeless pizza.
Our new pizza, the Fermentation Fiesta, is topped with in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and bold gorgonzola, drizzled with locally sourced honey to soften the sour notes. This innovative mix may seem peculiar, but countless patrons now frequently order this specialty creation.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain traction, we've noticed more customers opting for pizzas adorned with alternative meat options. Beyond simplistic veggie toppings, new plant-based protein innovations are convincing even the most steadfast of carnivores.
Options like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated pulled pork jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni have become staples on our menu. These new protein choices appeal not solely to vegetarians but to various customers looking for unique flavors and a meal that's easier on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who love spice are enthused by the 2023 trend of adding specific regional chili types rather than generic hot pepper flakes to their pizzas. Calabrian chilies have sustained their fame, along with other peppers like smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang now making their mark.
Global Heat, our innovative pizza, offers a combination of four distinct regional chilies, each lending their singular spice profile to different sections of the pizza. It's especially favored by our patrons who prefer a daring taste experience.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table concepts have expanded to the pizza scene, leading to increasing use of foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading the way are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which grace pizzas in their seasonal periods.
We've also experimented with wild spring ramps (wild leeks), seaweeds like dulse and nori, and spruce tips for an uncommon aromatic touch. These foraged items not only offer park-to-pizza freshness but bring flavors unmatched by farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The savory-sweet duo provided by honey has become a lasting favorite, not just a fleeting fancy. Honey varieties, including truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even CBD-infused, are being chosen for drizzling over pizzas, enhancing straightforward topping combinations into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings not making our top five but still creating buzz include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated atop pizzas like a shower of yellow flakes.
- Pickled fruits, notably stone fruits such as peaches and cherries.
- Whole grain garnishes, including crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for texture.
- Specialty butter blobs, such as cultured or herbed butter varieties.
Whether you're someone who cherishes tried-and-true classics or you're willing to explore bold flavor fusions, pizza remains one of the most dynamic and universally cherished dishes. At InnovativeThinking, we respect tradition and invite culinary creativity—that's why you'll see both the perennially beloved Margherita and groundbreaking specialty pies gracing our menu.
Have any of these modern toppings made it onto your plate? Or perhaps you have your own innovative pairing you'd like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or when you pay us a visit next time!