Each year, pizza garnishes transform with new culinary movements, and 2023 is bursting with innovation. At Crust & Charisma Pizzeria, we keep a keen eye on global pizza connoisseur preferences. Here are the five pizza topping trends that are currently all the rage.
1. Fermented Veggies
The emphasis on digestive wellness has made its way into pizza shops, placing fermented vegetables high in the ranks of this year's pizza toppings. We're introducing pickled flavors like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions that offer a zesty contrast to the creamy cheeses and rich sauces. In addition to their gut-friendly properties, these toppings bring a new breadth of textures to the beloved classic pizza.
Our distinctive Fermentation Festival pizza is garnished with homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and creamy gorgonzola, all balanced with a sweetening touch of local honey. Initially considered unconventional, this pizza is swiftly becoming a top pick among our special offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The sway of plant-based diets is undeniable and with it comes an increased demand for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Stepping beyond traditional vegetables, advancements in plant-based proteins are introducing alternatives that please even the staunchest carnivores.
Options like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit as pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have become a staple on our menu. These toppings aren't just aimed at vegetarians but are chosen for their distinctive tastes and mild impact on digestion by a range of customers.
3. Local Chili Peppers
Those who crave the heat are celebrating, as pizza aficionados are moving towards distinct local chili peppers over the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies retain their popularity, new arrivals include Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang scattered across our pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza offers a combination of four different local chilies, each delivering its own exclusive taste to portions of the pizza. It's a fiery quest that's especially favored by our more adventurous guests.
4. Wild Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table approach has expanded into the realm of pizza with the emerging trend of wild foraged ingredients. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that cycle through the menu with the seasons.
We're also using ingredients like forest-found ramps, ocean-derived vegetables such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients offer an authentic taste of nature and present flavors unattainable through traditional cultivation.
5. Unique Honey Drizzles
The sweet and savory combination that honey creates has secured its standing as more than a temporary fascination. Following the trend of spiced honey from past years, 2023 has welcomed a variety of specialty honeys drizzled on top of pizzas, including truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and sweet mesquite honey. These drizzles add complexity and transform even the simplest pizzas into high-end cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few other toppings that didn't quite make it to our top five but have been making quite the impact, such as:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza creating a vibrant cascade
- Pickled fruits, with a special shoutout to stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, adding texture with energizing grains like crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Exquisite butter dollops, from complex cultured versions to butter infused with herbs
Whether you adhere to the timeless classics or are eager to explore audacious new fusions, pizza remains infinitely customizable and universally cherished. At Crust & Charisma Pizzeria, we respect the age-old traditions but also welcome the winds of change, which is why our menu caters to both the iconic Margherita and the avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have these trendy toppings made their way to your dinner table yet? Or maybe there's a unique recipe you'd like to see us explore? Share your thoughts in the comments, or drop by and tell us on your next visit!