The pizza industry continually sees fresh trends each year, and 2023 is no different. At HarvestKitchen, our focus is to stay ahead of the curve regarding what pizza aficionados worldwide are enjoying. This is a declaration of the year's top pizza toppings that have caught our customers' interests.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasizing gut health has reached pizzerias, where fermented vegetables have unexpectedly become a hit atop pizzas. Tart tastes like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions provide an extra layer of complex flavor that goes well with the creamy cheese and savory sauces. These toppings do not only offer the benefit of probiotics but also add new textural elements to the traditional pizza composition.
The unique Fermentation Celebration pizza is crafted with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and bold gorgonzola cheese, rounded off with a touch of local honey to soften the sour notes. Though it may seem like an odd combination, it's rapidly turning into one of our highly sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The popularity of plant-based cuisine has been on the rise, leading to an upward trend in pizza toppings with inventive meat substitutes. We've gone beyond the usual veggie toppings and introduced plant-based proteins that have won over even staunch meat eaters.
Expect to find offerings like plant-based crumbles resembling Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea-protein-based pepperoni on our menu. These plant-powered options appeal not only to vegetarians but also to a broader audience thanks to their distinct tastes and ease of digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Lovers of all things spicy are celebrating the broadened use of specific regional chili flavors in place of the usual sprinkling of red pepper flakes on their pizzas. While Calabrian chilies continue to be a favorite, chilies like the sweet Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are becoming more common on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a selection of four unique regional chilies, providing an assortment of flavors and heat profiles to each slice of the pie. This fiery dish has gained a following, particularly among our more daring guests.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has expanded into forest-to-pizza with the increased interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, including chanterelle, morel, and maitake, gracing our pizzas in sync with their growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been exploring wild ramps, sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and spruce tips which offer a distinctive aromatic essence. These foraged toppings create a bridge between our consumers and nature, providing flavors that cannot be replicated in cultivated ingredients.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey, with its capacity to create a sweet and savory balance, has affirmed its position as a lasting trend. Following up on the popular use of hot honey in previous years, 2023 witnesses a variety of specialized honey types used as finishing drizzles for pizzas.
Honeys such as truffle, fermented garlic, mesquite, and other unique infusions are cropping up on menus nationwide. These delectable honey variations offer an upgraded touch that can transform simple pizza recipes into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that narrowly missed our list but are nonetheless making a statement include:
- Cured egg yolk, finely grated over the pizza for a rich umami flavor
- Pickled stone fruits, such as peaches and plums, for a tart taste
- Ancient grain toppings, like crispy farro or popped sorghum, to add crunch
- Dollops of artisanal butter, particularly those infused with cultures or herbs
Whether you gravitate towards timeless classics or are eager to explore bold new flavor combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored dishes worldwide. At HarvestKitchen, we strive to honor age-old traditions while also welcoming culinary ingenuity—that's why our menu includes both traditional Margherita and innovative special pizzas.
Are any of these trendy toppings on your radar? Or perhaps you have a distinctive pizza variant you'd like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments, or during your next visit to our location!