New trends in pizza toppings emerge annually, and 2023 is no different. At GlintSpring, we keep track of what’s capturing the palate of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here are the year's top toppings that have pizza enthusiasts excited.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has entered pizzerias, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite topping in 2023. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their complex, tangy notes, offsetting the creamy depth of traditional cheese and sauce. Adding probiotics and a new texture experience, these fermented options are reinventing pizza flavors.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a hit on our menu, showcasing our own sauerkraut, kimchi, topped by gorgonzola and a hint of local honey for sweetness. This unique blend has quickly become a sought-after specialty at our establishment.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain acceptance, demand for pizzas with innovative meat substitutes has soared. Beyond ordinary veggies, advances in plant proteins have brought forth choices that even hardcore carnivores appreciate.
Items like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit, and pea protein-based 'pepperoni' are now staples on our menu. These options draw in more than just vegetarian customers for their distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
In 2023, pizza lovers have started to favor specific varieties of regional chilies over common red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have retained their charm, while this year also introduced chilies like Aleppo, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
We now offer the Worldwide Heat pizza that presents an assortment of these chilies, giving eaters a chance to experience distinct spicy profiles on a single dish. This daring choice is particularly popular with our more venturesome customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Items
Farm-to-table has expanded to include foraged-to-pizza, with wild, foraged elements becoming more popular. Wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, are increasingly seen during their growing seasons.
We’ve also been experimenting with wild ramps, ocean-sourced veggies like dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips. Such components connect our diners to nature and provide a taste that isn’t replicable in cultivated products.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzle
The sweet and savory blend provided by honey has established itself as more than a fleeting trend. Building on the fondness for spicy honey in recent years, 2023 has brought an array of specialized honey drizzles that enhance pizza just before service.
Options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are now featured at various pizzerias. These drizzles add a layer of sophistication to pizzas, transforming even the simplest of pies into gourmet fare.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that narrowly missed our top five but still deserve a callout include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza, creating a shower of savory golden flakes
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Whole grain garnishes, such as crisp farro or popped sorghum, adding crunch
- Specialty butter spots, including those made with cultured or mixed herbs
No matter if you’re a purist or open to experimental flavors, pizza remains a universally adaptable and adored dish. At GlintSpring, we honor the classics while welcoming the new, hence our menu features both the timeless Margherita and our innovative concoctions.
Which of these top toppings have you tasted? Do you have an original combination you'd love to see us try? Share in the comments or tell us on your next visit!