Each year, the pizza industry witnesses the emergence of new flavors and styles, and 2023 hasn't disappointed. At HarborCommons, we're always on the lookout for the latest trends in flavor that resonate with pizza aficionados worldwide. We're excited to share this year's list of the top pizza toppings that are making an impact.
1. Fermented Veggies
This year has seen a surge in gut health awareness, which has unexpectedly brought fermented vegetables to the fore as a pizza topping. The inclusion of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions is offering an intricate sour essence that perfectly blends with cheesy and saucy bases. In addition to their probiotic advantages, these toppings are revolutionizing the traditional pizza texture.
Our latest creation, dubbed the Fermentation Fiesta pizza, boasts an in-house blend of sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, and is perfected with a touch of locally sourced honey to mitigate the sourness. This combination, though unconventional, is fast becoming one of our most popular gourmet pizzas.
2. Alternative Plant Proteins
The continued popularity of plant-forward diets has led to a noticeable rise in plant-based meat substitutes as pizza toppings. Options for these meatless alternatives now extend beyond classic veggies, with the introduction of innovative meat replacements that impress even the most ardent meat fans.
Assorted plant-derived Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, spiced jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have made their way into our pizza repertoire. These alternatives are not exclusive to vegetarians; many patrons are drawn to their distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Exotic Chili Peppers
Heat enthusiasts are celebrating the recognition of unique chilies from various regions over bland pepper flakes in 2023. Calabrian chilies continue from past popularity, yet now there's a growing presence of specific chilies such as the Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
The International Spiciness pizza is an assortment of four distinct types of chilies, with each contributing its characteristic flavors to different sections of the pizza. This spicy offering has been highly praised by our more daring customers.
4. Wild-Crafted Ingredients
The progression of the farm-to-table movement has manifested as from-the-forest-to-the-pizza with the uptake of wild ingredients that are foraged seasonally. Leading this charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear as toppings during their seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been experimenting with wild ramps, various sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to impart a singular aromatic essence. These foraged elements offer a connection to nature and flavors that can't be replicated in cultivation.
5. Gourmet Honey Variants
The interplay of sweet and savory brought on by the use of honey has established itself as more than a fad. As an evolution of the hot honey trend, the year 2023 is showcasing a variety of specialty honeys as pizza finishers.
Options like truffle honey, honey infused with fermented garlic, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enriched honey have begun to grace menus nationwide. These unique honey drizzles are adding depth and sophistication to pizza offerings, turning them into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that nearly made it to our top list but are still worth noting include:
- Aged egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich coating
- Brined fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grains as toppings, such as crispy spelt or puffed sorghum to add texture
- Specialized butter spots, like cultured or herb-infused compound butters
Whether you hold a preference for timeless classics or have an eager palate for experimental flavors, pizza remains one of the globe's most versatile and endeared dishes. At HarborCommons, we strike a balance between reverence for tradition and the excitement of innovation, which is why both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas populate our menu.
Have any of these new toppings graced your palate? Or do you have a distinctive combination in mind that you'd love to see us introduce? Share with us in the comment section or on your next visit!