Every new year ushers in fresh trends in the pizza world, and 2023 is doing the same. At PebbleGarden, we continuously track the toppings catching the attention of pizza aficionados globally. Below is a list of this year's top toppings that have captivated many.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive health has reached the pizza scene, with fermented veggies emerging as an unlikely star on top of pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are introducing intricate, sour flavors that meld well with the creamy cheeses and sauces, imparting both probiotic health benefits and an interesting new texture to the usual pizza experience.
Featured on our menu is the Fermentation Fiesta pizza, which includes our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and creamy gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a local honey drizzle to soften the sourness. This blend might seem odd, but it has fast become a staple request for our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people adopt plant-based diets, the request for pizza topped with inventive meat substitutes has surged. Beyond the typical assortment of veggies, novel plant-based protein options provide a satisfying alternative for ardent meat fans.
Toppings such as plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, shredded jackfruit pulled pork, and pea-protein pepperoni are featured permanently on our menu. These alternative proteins appeal not just to vegetarians but to a broad range of customers because of their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Specialty Chili Varieties
Those who favor spiciness are embracing specific regional chili types, moving away from generic red pepper flakes in 2023. Calabrian chilies have kept their fanbase from the past, but Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also starting to garnish pizzas.
Our International Heatwave pizza brings together a blend of four distinct chilies, each with its own characteristic taste, spread out in different sections of the pizza. It's a fiery excursion that's become particularly popular among our daring customers.
4. Wild Foraged Ingredients
The locavore movement has evolved into sourcing directly from nature, with the newfound desire for wild, foraged components on pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with sought-after varieties such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake (hen of the woods) featured during their growth periods.
In addition to mushrooms, we've delved into wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips adding a distinctive aromatic twist. These wild ingredients offer an authentic connection to nature and flavors that cannot be replicated in standard cultivation.
5. Artisan Honey Infusions
The counterpoint of honey to savory has solidified its place beyond a fleeting fad. Building upon the prevailing hit of spicy honey, this year has unleashed a variety of artisan honeys used as final garnishes on pizzas.
Connoisseur blends like truffle-infused honey, aged garlic honey, mesquite-flavored honey, or even CBD-enriched honey have been sprinkled across pizza locales nationwide. These finishing drizzles lend complexity and convert ordinary pizza choices into gourmet experiences.
Noteworthy Mentions
Other toppings didn't quite make the top five but are still noteworthy for their impact include:
- Preserved egg yolks, grated finely across the pizza like a dusting of gold
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Ancient grain accents, with crisp farro or puffed sorghum adding a novel texture
- Gourmet spreads of artisan butter, especially those infused with herbs or cultured for depth of flavor
Whether your preferences lean towards timeless classics or you're open to exploring audacious new blends, pizza persists as one of the most versatile and endearing dishes globally. At PebbleGarden, we find a balance in honoring time-honored recipes and pioneering new ones—both the quintessential Margherita and the forefront of specialty pizzas can be discovered on our menu.
Have any of these modern toppings graced your palate? Or is there a particular combination you'd suggest we try? Drop us a line in the comments or share your thoughts during your next visit!