With each year, the realm of pizza undergoes a transformation with new gustatory trends, and 2023 follows suit. At MindfulCreations, our pulse on global pizza trends never wavers as we keep a close eye on what's exciting the palates of pizza aficionados everywhere. This list encapsulates the top pizza toppings that are stirring excitement this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in gut health has found its way into pizzerias, with fermented vegetables emerging as this year's unexpected pizza topping sensation. Adding a multi-dimensional tanginess, toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are perfectly pairing with the traditional cheese and tomato base. These toppings not only taste fantastic, but also offer probiotic health benefits and bring a new textural experience to pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza is our latest creation, showcasing a home-crafted blend of sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a honey drizzle to offset the sour notes. What sounds like an unconventional mix has rapidly become one of the most popular amongst our specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has led to an increased appetite for pizzas decked with inventive meat substitutes. Diversifying beyond classic veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based protein have brought forth options that even ardent carnivores find satisfying.
Options such as plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein styled as pepperoni have become staples in our kitchen. These proteins allure not only vegetarians but also those drawn to their distinctive tastes and healthful properties.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those chasing a spicy kick, 2023 has beckoned a shift towards specialized regional chilies rather than relying on the common crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies maintain their standing popularity, new varieties like the fragrant Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now gracing pizzas with their presence.
Our Spice Voyage pizza is a cornucopia of these regional chilies, designating distinct flavors to each quarter of the pie. It's been a hit with customers who are daring in their culinary explorations.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has expanded to include forest-to-pizza, thanks to the surge of interest in seasonally foraged items. This trend is led by wild fungi, with wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing in their prime seasons.
Moreover, our recipes have incorporated wild ramps (wild garlic), coastal greens such as dulse and nori, and even pine tips to bring a distinctive aroma to the mix. These foraged specialties forge a connection with the wild and deliver unmatched natural flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrasting flavors of honey on pizza have been embraced as more than just a fleeting craze. Advancing past the recent trend of hot honey, 2023 witnesses a variety of unique honey drizzles being added to pizzas. This includes decadent truffle honey, aromatic fermented garlic honey, lapsang souchong-infused smoky honey, and other unique infusions. These gourmet drizzles add a touch of sophistication and enhance even the simplest pizza recipes.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings almost making our list but still worth acknowledging include:
- Crumbled cured egg yolks, dusted over pizza for a rich umami flavor
- Pickled fruits, with stone fruits like peaches and cherries standing out
- Grains with a heritage twist, providing a satisfying crunch, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of handcrafted butter, characterized by flavors from cultured or infused herb butters
Whether your tastes are rooted in timeless classics or incline towards the avant-garde in flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At MindfulCreations, we honor age-old traditions and, at the same time, are proponents of culinary creativity—our menu features both the iconic Margherita and inventive, contemporary pies.
Have you indulged in any of these trending toppings yet? Or perhaps you have an original topping combo you’d love to bring to our kitchen's attention? We welcome your input in the comments or at your next visit to our location!