Each year ushers in fresh pizza topping favorites, and as we navigate through 2023, the pizza-scape is no different. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we keep a close eye on what’s ensnaring the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here are the hottest and most sought-after toppings making a splash in the pizza scene this year.
1. Fermented Veggies
Attention to digestive well-being has carried over into pizza making, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected star. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions impart a savory zest, balancing the creamy pizza cheeses and sauces. These additions not only boast probiotic qualities but also add new textural elements to the familiar pizza experience.
Our “Fermentation Fiesta” pizza, topped with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all balanced with a local honey drizzle, starts off sounding unorthodox, yet it has swiftly climbed the ranks to become a top-requested pie.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
As plant-based diets gain further momentum, there’s been a spike in the need for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Stepping up from the usual veggie toppings, the advent of plant-based proteins has introduced mouthwatering alternatives for even staunch carnivores.
Items like plant-derived Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit in the guise of pulled pork, and pea protein slices fashioned after pepperoni have found their way into our kitchen. These options appeal not only to vegetarians but also to customers appreciating their distinctive tastes and gentler digestion.
3. Distinctive Chili Varietals
For those who enjoy a bit of spice in their slice, 2023 has been a jubilation as pizza devotees favor distinctive chilies from various regions over plain red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to hold their ground from past years, chilies like smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the punch of Korean gochujang are now claiming territory on pizzas.
Our “Global Heat” pizza is a canvas to a quartet of regional chilies, each offering a uniquely individual taste profile to the pizza’s quarters, catering particularly to our more daring customers.
4. Wild Foraged Finds
The leap from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza has been made possible with the popularization of wild foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, are a flavorful trend often seen during their natural harvesting times.
We’re also experimenting with seasonal plants such as spring ramps, marine greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic ingredients like spruce tips, offering our customers a connection to the wilderness and tastes that are hard to come by in cultivated varieties.
5. Artisan Honey Infusions
The play of sweet versus savory notes with a hint of honey has taken more than a foothold in the realm of pizza. Building from the hot honey trend of recent years, we’re now witnessing a variety of specialty honey infusions drizzled on pizzas before serving.
Indulgent varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-laced honey are all making debuts. These nuanced flavors bring a complexity that transforms even the most basic pizza into a gourmet affair.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that didn't quite make the top five but deserve recognition include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a touch of opulence
- Pickled orchard fruits, notably stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain crunch, like crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture contrast
- Gourmet butter touches (like cultured or herbed compound butters)
Whether you're die-hard for classic pies or keen on exploring daring flavor combinations, pizza's adaptability keeps it perennially cherished across the globe. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we take pride in our ability to honor timeless pizza styles while fostering culinary creativity, showcased by our offerings of age-old Margherita alongside innovative pizzas.
Have you indulged in any of these emerging topping trends? Or do you have an exclusive flavor duo you’d like us to consider? Inform us in the commentary section or upon your next visit!