As we sail through 2023, the pizza realm continues to thrill us with fresh food trends. At TasteHaven, keeping tabs on the flavors captivating pizza aficionados globally is part of our pursuit. Here is our curation of the top pizza toppings that are making a splash this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has stepped into the spotlight on pizza menus, with fermented vegetables topping the charts. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a zesty flair that wonderfully balances the luxuriousness of cheese and sauce. Apart from their probiotic advantages, these toppings are injecting pizzas with intriguing layers of texture.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, boasting in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, gently harmonized with local honey—a seemingly peculiar mix that's rocketing to the top of our specialty pizzas list.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rising trend in plant-based diets has led to increased demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Eyes are no longer on ordinary veggie toppings; the spotlight has turned to unique plant-based proteins that even the staunchest meat enthusiasts appreciate.
Options on our menu such as plant-based Italian sausage pieces, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni aren't just for those on a plant-based diet—these items are chosen for their distinct tastes and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
The quest for spice has pizza lovers turning towards distinct regional chili types beyond basic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian peppers continue their popularity streak, spices like Aleppo pepper, smoked Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have also entered the scene.
Our International Zest pizza is a spicy exploration, presenting a mix of four distinct regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to separate sections of the pizza. It's a hot favorite among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The journey from the woods directly to pizza cooking stations reflects the rising trend of foraged ingredients, leading the charge with wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms, especially during their peak seasons.
We're also featuring wild edibles such as spring ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural elements give a connection to the wilderness and offer flavors you won't find in commercial produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has created a sweet-savory phenomenon that has become more than just a fleeting fancy. Following the hot honey trend of the past, the current year has gifted us an array of specialty honeys that serve as the crowning touch on pizzas just before serving.
Infused honeys like truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even CBD have found their way onto pizza menus nationwide, adding depth and sophistication to even the simplest of pizzas.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that narrowly missed our top rankings but nonetheless are stirring interest include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizzas creating a decadent effect
- Quick-pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Drops of artisan butter, especially those infused with culture or mixed with herbs
Whether your preference lies with time-honored classics or you're open to audacious new flavor combinations, pizza endures as one of the most adaptable and adored dishes around the globe. At TasteHaven, we celebrate both the tried-and-true and the novel—that's why our menu features everything from the iconic Margherita to state-of-the-art creations.
Have any of these trending toppings caught your fancy? Or maybe you have an exceptional favorite you'd like to see us offer? Drop a comment or let us know during your next visit!