As we progress through the year, the pizza industry sees new favorites emerging, and 2023 is booming with fresh trends. At SoftGround Pizzeria, we keep a close eye on global preferences that pizza aficionados are enjoying. We are excited to present our curated list of the top pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
This year, pizzerias have seen an uptick in toppings that are beneficial for gut health, with fermented vegetables taking center stage on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a flavorful tang that pairs exceptionally well with the traditional cheese and sauce. These toppings add not only a probiotic punch but also offer new textures to pizza lovers.
For example, our unique Fermentation Fest pizza boasts a combination of in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a pungent gorgonzola cheese, harmoniously balanced with a touch of local honey. This blend may seem atypical, but it has quickly become a sought-after choice among our specialty pizza offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more individuals shift towards plant-based diets, there's been an observable surge in the quest for meat alternatives on pizzas. Apart from traditional veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins present mouth-watering options that even hardcore carnivores appreciate.
Items like plant-based crumbles mimicking Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit with a pulled pork style, and pea protein pepperoni have become staples on our menu. These toppings cater to a variety of preferences due to their distinct tastes and health benefits.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who enjoy a fiery kick are in for a treat! This year, pizza lovers are preferring specific regional chilies over generic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain beloved, we're introducing other global varieties such as the sweet and spicy Aleppo pepper, the smokiness of Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the deep flavors of Korean gochujang.
Take our Global Heat pizza, which offers a quartet of distinctive regional chilies across four sections, providing a bold taste expedition that has been very well-received by our bold-flavor-seeking customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The trend of directly sourcing ingredients from nature has led to a new interest in seasonal foraged toppings for pizzas. Leading the wave are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which grace our pizzas during their peak seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we're incorporating wild spring ramps, ocean-derived greens like dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These wild-crafted ingredients forge a connection with the environment and offer unmatched flavors that cultivated foods can't replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The delightful synergy of sweet and savory that honey brings to pizza has now evolved beyond a fleeting fad. Continuously growing in popularity, we've witnessed an array of unique honey varieties drizzled atop pizzas just before serving in 2023.
These include options such as decadent truffle honey, robust fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and specialty honey infused with health-promoting extracts. These gourmet drizzles add a layer of sophistication, transforming even simple pizzas into an artisanal experience.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that didn't quite make our top five but are still creating a stir include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a luxurious touch
- Pickled stone fruits, such as peaches and plums, bringing a sweet contrast
- Whole grains, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum, added for unique texture
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially variations with cultured or herb infusions
No matter if you're someone who honors timeless classics or if you're keen on exploring inventive fusion flavors, pizza remains a universal culinary canvas. At SoftGround Pizzeria, we celebrate traditional roots while also introducing inventive concoctions—that's why you'll find that our menu proudly features both the classic Margherita and boundary-pushing specialty pizzas.
Have any of these headline-grabbing toppings made it to your plate? Or perhaps you cherish an unusual topping mix that you'd want to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!