As each year passes, new trends in the pizza sector emerge, and 2023 is no different. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we continuously observe the evolving tastes of pizza aficionados globally. We present a list of this year's top five pizza toppings that have captured diners' interest.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in digestive wellness has made its presence felt in the pizza industry, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising topping favorite in recent times. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with a robust, acidic taste that meshes well with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Besides the gut-friendly perks, they present a new twist in texture for pizza aficionados.
The Fermentation Fest pizza, decked out with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, and a sweet touch of local honey to counter the sourness, may come across as unconventional, yet it's gaining popularity as a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend towards plant-centric diets has not ebbed, leading to a heightened interest in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. The standard veggie toppings are now accompanied by breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins that even true meat enthusiasts can appreciate.
Our menu now includes covetable items like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit resembling pulled pork, and pea protein-infused pepperoni. These toppings are a hit not just for their plant-based nature but for their distinctive taste and being easier to digest.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who have a penchant for spice are celebrating 2023 as the year when pizza aficionados are showing a preference for distinct and region-specific chilies over commonplace red pepper flakes. Even though Calabrian chilies have kept their popularity, we now see the entrance of Aleppo pepper, the smokiness of Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo with its fruity notes, and the Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza is a spicy excursion with a quartet of distinct chilies from various regions, each lending its particular spice to the pizza. It's been a hit among the more daring of our clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The pathway from forest to pizza oven is the new journey for ingredients, thanks to the rising trend of seasonal foraging. Leading the way are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen-of-the-woods, which appear on pizzas in their natural seasons.
We're also including other foraged items like spring's wild ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips, all providing a flavor that can't be replicated through farming. These natural, earthy components lead to a flavor profile connecting diners with the wilderness from which they came.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The pairing of sweet and savory with honey has become an enduring aspect of pizza, not merely a fleeting trend. With the continuous success of hot honey in past years, 2023 is witnessing an array of specialized honey types being drizzled on pizzas just before serving, enhancing the flavor even more.
Options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and CBD-enriched honey have started gracing pizzeria menus. These honeys serve as the final flourish, transforming simple pizza variants into culinary works of art.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings almost reached our top list but are nonetheless creating buzz:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned atop pizzas for a dusting of golden flavor
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Whole grains bringing texture, such as crispy farro and popped sorghum
- Handcrafted butter varieties, especially those with cultural origins or infused with herbs
Whether you hold your heart close to the timeless pizza classics or are a gastronomic explorer seeking the novel, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At Dough Maestro's Pizzeria, we're committed to honoring the pizza-making tradition while also pioneering new tastes, which is why our menu features the classic Margherita as well as the daring, inventive options.
Are there any new toppings you've tried and adored? Or maybe there's a particular combination you'd love to see featured on our menu? Drop your thoughts in the comments or let us know when you're next in!