Each year introduces new gastronomic trends that find their way onto pizza, and 2023 is buzzing with new flavors. At GoldenMorsel, we keep our finger on the pulse of global pizza trends. Behold our top five pizza toppings that are the talk of the town this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health becomes increasingly important, fermented vegetables are the season's unexpected topping heroes. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending their distinctively sharp tastes to pizzas, offsetting the creamy bliss of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings add a probiotic punch and infuse pizzas with textural intrigue.
The Fermentation Fiesta pie at our establishment showcases in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a bold gorgonzola cheese, with a sweet dollop of locally-sourced honey to temper the zest. It’s an acquired taste, but it’s fast becoming our signature pizza.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-powered diets has spurred a matching demand for pizzas topped with innovative meat substitutes. Moving beyond predictable veggie options, newly crafted plant proteins are appealing to even the staunchest carnivores.
On our menu, you’ll find plant-crafted Italian sausage bits, flavorful tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a 'pulled pork' option, and pea protein 'pepperoni'. These toppings attract both herbivores and omnivores alike due to their distinctive tastes and a lighter after-meal feeling.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who love a touch of spice, 2023 has signaled a shift from generic red pepper sprinkles to specific chili variants from around the world. While Calabrian chilies are still popular, we're now incorporating Aleppo peppers, smoky Spanish ñora, aromatic Peruvian aji amarillo, and spicy Korean gochujang into our pizzas.
The Spicy Globe pie presents a fiery combo of diverse chilies, each lending a distinct heat profile to sectors of the pizza—a hit among our most daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The push for local ingredients has migrated from field to pizza top with the use of freshly foraged items. Leading this movement are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing pizzas during their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating other forest finds like spring ramps, oceanic garnishes such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These foraged delicacies connect eaters with mother nature and offer unparalleled flavors.
5. Boutique Honey Drizzles
Introducing honey to pizza showcases an enduring sweet versus savory allure. Following on the heels of hot honey's fame, an array of artful honey drizzles are making their mark on pizzas as a final flourish before presenting to the table.
Options like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enhanced honey are making rounds, each adding degrees of sophistication and lifting even the most basic pizzas to premium levels.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that almost made our list but deserve recognition include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a rich, umami touch
- Pickled fruits with stone fruits such as peaches and apricots leading the trend
- Ancient grains offering crunch and texture like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet dollops of butter, especially those cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether you're a purist with a penchant for traditional pizza or someone who delights in avant-garde flavors, pizza's adaptability ensures its place as a delicious staple worldwide. At GoldenMorsel, we respect the classics while also embracing new horizons, which is why our menu hosts both the quintessential Margherita and our innovative creations.
Which of these on-trend toppings have you sampled? Or perhaps you have a singular topping preference you'd like us to explore? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!