The pizza landscape is ever-changing, and the year 2023 has certainly proven that with a series of new topping trends taking over. At Crust & Charms Pizzeria, we consistently keep an eye out for what's catching the attention of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here, we present the most intriguing and sought-after pizza toppings of this year.
1. Pickled Vegetables
Wellness enthusiasts have brought their passion for gut health to the pizza scene, as pickled veggies emerge as a surprisingly popular choice. Items such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions offer an intricate sour taste that nicely contrasts the creamy notes of cheese and tomato sauce. Aside from their probiotic advantages, these toppings are adding new textural experiences to classic pizza offerings.
Our Fermentation Festivity pizza combines our own sauerkraut and kimchi with gorgonzola, masterfully topped off with a local honey drizzle to counteract the sourness. While it might be an unexpected mix, it's fast becoming one of the top selections among our innovative pizzas.
2. Alternative Proteins Derived from Plants
With a growing interest in plant-based diets, we've seen an upsurge in plant-based meat alternatives as pizza toppings. Beyond the usual veggie toppings, the advent of these plant-based proteins has brought forth varieties that even the most ardent meat aficionados appreciate.
We now regularly serve plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These options have found fans not only among vegetarians but also among those who favor their distinct tastes and lighter dining experiences.
3. Specialty Chilies from Diverse Regions
A feast for those who love a bit of spice, the year 2023 has seen a growing appreciation for specific types of chilies over the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their stint in the popularity charts, we're seeing the rise of Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies with their smokiness, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang in the mix.
Our World of Spice pizza showcases a selection of distinct chilies from varying regions, each lending a unique taste profile to each slice. It's a fiery gastronomic journey that's becoming a favorite among our daring patrons.
4. Wild, Seasonal Ingredients
The connection from the wilderness to pizza has strengthened with wild, seasonal ingredients becoming a wave within the pizza sector. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, featured prevalently during their prime seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been incorporating foraged spring ramps, sea greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These natural ingredients offer a connection to the wild and a taste that's hard to replicate through farming.
5. Exotic Honey Glazes
The combo of honey's sweetness with savory notes has gained a permanent spot on the menu. Capitalizing on the hot honey craze of the past years, 2023 presents a flourish of innovative honey varieties drizzled over pizzas before they're served.
We're talking about truffle-infused honey, garlic honey gone through fermentation, smoky mesquite honey, and specialized honey with additional ingredients. These final drizzles add a sophisticated and intricate touch, transforming simple pizza into a refined dish.
Honorable Mentions
Omissions from our top five, yet still leaving their mark, include:
- Salted egg yolks finely grated over the pizza, creating a shower of gold
- Pickled fruits, especially stone varieties like peaches and apricots
- Whole grains for added crunch, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Artisanal spreads of butter, particularly those cultured or mixed with herbs
Whatever your preference, be it a die-hard classicist or an experimental flavor chaser, pizza stands as one of the world's most versatile and cherished dishes. At Crust & Charms Pizzeria, we stay true to convention while boldly exploring innovative territory—which is why our menu includes both the age-old Margherita and avant-garde creations.
Have you experienced any of these top toppings of the moment? Or is there a unique combo you're eager for us to try out? Share your thoughts in the comments or pop by and tell us the next time you're in!