Every year, the pizza scene is treated to new flavors, and 2023 has its own set of trends. Here at Slices & Spices Pizzeria, our passion is to track the flavors that capture the hearts of pizza fans internationally. We bring to you a list of the top pizza toppings that are making a statement this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains more attention, pizzerias are responding by topping their creations with fermented vegetables. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions lend a depth of tangy flavor that balances the creamy cheese and sauce beautifully. Besides their probiotic qualities, these additions bring an innovative textural twist to the classic pizza.
Try our Fermentation Festival pizza, a unique blend of homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, with a touch of local honey to mellow the sourness. This alternative pairing might be unconventional, but it's winning over many patrons.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The movement towards plant-based diets is only getting stronger, which has translated into a lofty increase in the demand for pizzas that feature inventive meat substitutes. Apart from the usual veggie options, we now offer plant-based alternatives with a meaty twist that please even dedicated carnivores.
On our menu now, you'll find plant-based crumbles resembling Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These options are popular not only with vegetarians but also with customers who enjoy their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who favor a bit of spice are finding solace in pizzas topped with unique chili varieties from different regions as opposed to the standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies have stayed popular, we are now seeing an interest in Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza is a spicy journey, topped with a range of chilies each adding a different flavor note. This particularly piquant creation has become a favorite among our boldest patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Embracing the connection between wild surroundings and culinary experiences, seasonal foraged goods are rising stars in pizza toppings. Leading the forage trend are wild mushrooms, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up in their specific seasons.
We're exploring beyond mushrooms to ingredients such as spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips, which impart a distinctive aromatic flavor. These natural ingredients are foraging their way onto pizzas, offering tastes that cultivated products simply cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Capitalizing on the interplay of sweet and savory flavors, honey has become a staple for finishing pizzas. With a growing variety beyond the hot honey trend, 2023 is seeing a surge in pizzas finished with special honeys just before serving.
Our menu now includes options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and distinctive CBD-infused honey. These special drizzles add a layer of sophistication and can transform a simple pizza into a gourmet creation.
Honorable Mentions
Some other inventive toppings that nearly made our list include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated delicately over the pizza, akin to flakes of sunlit snow
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Grains with a heritage, like crispy farro or popped sorghum adding crunch
- Dollops of artisanal butter, especially those cultured or infused with blended herbs
No matter if you stick to the tried-and-true classics or you're someone who seeks out novel taste experiences, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At Slices & Spices Pizzeria, we are committed to celebrating time-honored recipes and championing innovative flavors, which means you'll spot both staple Margherita and avant-garde creations in our repertoire.
Have you experienced any of these trending toppings? Or do you have a distinctive combination you'd wish to see us incorporate? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!