As with each year, the realm of pizza sees new flavor trends, and 2023 is no different. Here at FlavorLoom, keeping an eye on what's winning over the tastes of pizza enthusiasts worldwide is our specialty. We're excited to present the year's top pizza toppings that are gaining popularity.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Paying attention to digestive health has found its place in pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies becoming this year's unexpected hit. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending their complex sour notes to the creamy texture of cheese and savory sauces. These fermented options boast probiotic qualities and add a new textural element to classic pizza fare.
Try our novel Fermentation Fiesta pie, featuring in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and rich gorgonzola, topped off with a dash of local honey to mellow out the sharp flavors. It may seem like a quirky mix, but it’s quickly turned into one of our most in-demand signature dishes.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The push for more plant-focused diets has not slowed down, which is evident by the increased desire for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond your regular vegetable toppings, advancements in plant protein mimics are now catering to the taste of true carnivores.
Expect options like plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni as staples in our selection. And it's not just vegetarians who are going for these toppings; many patrons opt for them due to their distinct tastes and being easier on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving heat on their pizza are celebrating the shift from nondescript red pepper flakes to specific chili types from various regions. While Calabrian chilies continue to enjoy popularity, newcomers such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are making their presence known on pies.
We're offering our Four Corners of Spice pizza, which provides a sampler of these regional chilies, showcasing distinct flavors on each section of the pizza. This dish has received acclaim particularly from our patrons with adventurous palates.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The surge in popularity for farm-to-table has expanded into a forest-to-table approach with foraged ingredients making more frequent pizza topping appearances. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods showing up during their growing seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we’ve been incorporating spring ramps, marine greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce shoots for an intriguing hint of forest aroma. These foraged treasures offer a connection to nature while delivering flavors that cultivated varieties simply cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey as a sweet yet savory enhancement has solidified its place beyond being merely a fleeting fad. Following the hot honey trend, the current year has witnessed a proliferation of unique honey types being drizzled on pizzas at the final stage of preparation.
Drizzles of truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoked mesquite honey, and even honeys infused with non-intoxicating herbal extracts are being featured on pizzerias nationwide. These final flourishes add depth of flavor and turn even the simplest pizza into a premium experience.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that didn't quite make it to our top list but are nonetheless creating a buzz include:
- Salts cured with egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich umami topping
- Marinated fruits, with an emphasis on stone fruits such as cherries and apricots
- Ancient grains for topping, adding crunch with crisped farro or puffed sorghum
- Artisanal butter additions, featured as either cultured or herbed butter dollops
Whether you stick to time-honored classics or yearn for cutting-edge combinations, pizza remains one of the most adaptable and universally adored dishes. At FlavorLoom, we respect time-honored traditions while also endorsing contemporary innovations—that's why our menu hosts both the beloved Margherita and avant-garde specialty pies.
Are there any of these trendsetting toppings you've tried already? Or perhaps you have your own unique favorite that you’d like us to consider adding to our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you visit us!