As each year unfolds, the pizza scene welcomes fresh gastronomic trends, and the year 2023 is no different. At SunflintView, staying apprised of global pizza preferences is our specialty. Without further ado, here's our curated list of this year's most thrilling and in-demand pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With digestive wellness gaining the spotlight, fermented vegetables have emerged as a surprising favorite atop pizzas in 2023. Varieties such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a complex and tangy savor that marries well with the opulent flavors of cheese and tomato. These tart toppings deliver probiotic advantages while adding a novel textural twist to the standard pizza palate.
On our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, you'll find homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, capped off with a drizzle of artisan honey for a sweet counter to the sourness. It may strike some as unconventional, but it's fast-climbing the ranks to become one of our hottest speciality offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The crusade for plant-based eating isn't slowing down, and this has led to a surge in plant-based meat alternatives gracing our pizzas. Far from conventional veggie toppings, the latest advances in plant-based protein have brought forth selections that even steadfast carnivores find satisfying.
Options like plant-based crumbles that mimic Italian sausage, savory seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein-based pepperoni now have a standing place on our menu. These innovative proteins cater to more than just vegetarians; they're a hit amongst guests for their singular tastes and gentler digestive qualities.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who fancy their pizza with a zesty punch, the trend in 2023 has been to opt for distinctive regional chili varieties over standard pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have held onto their popularity, we are also witnessing a rise in select peppers such as the smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, the Aleppo pepper and authentic Korean gochujang adorning our pizzas.
Our International Heatwave pizza presents a quartet of various regional chilies, each imbuing its own distinct taste profile to separate segments of the pie, providing a fiery tour around the globe that's particularly favored among our most intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Bringing the wilderness to the table, foraged seasonal elements have found a growing audience. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the wood mushrooms, which pop up on our menu in accordance with their growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been incorporating wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and even pine tips for a unique fragrant note. These components not only draw connections to the great outdoors but also provide distinct flavors that simply cannot be found in cultivated goods.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to complement savory dishes with sweetness has secured its role far beyond a momentary fad. Following the trend of spicy honey from past years, 2023 has witnessed an array of specialty honey drizzles making their way onto pizzas upon serving.
With the likes of truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite-flavored honey, and even CBD-enriched honey adorning pizzas across the nation, these final embellishments deepen flavor profiles, transforming everyday pies into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Some toppings that were close but did not make it to the top five, still deserve attention for their impact:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza creating a velvety layer
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone varieties such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain garnishes, offering crunchy textures from grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of specialty butter, particularly those that are cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether you're a pizza purist or an epicurean eager for innovative flavor medleys, pizza retains its crown as one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At SunflintView, we pay homage to the classics while staying at the forefront of culinary innovation. Hence, our menu features both venerable Margherita pizzas and pioneering speciality creations.
Have any of these trendy toppings graced your palate? Or possibly there's a distinctive topping mix you'd like to see us offer? Share with us in the comments, or when you drop by for a visit next time!