Each year, pizza innovators introduce new toppings that set culinary trends, and the year 2023 is no different. At OpenLedger Pizzeria, keeping tabs on what tantalizes pizza aficionados internationally is our specialty. Below is a recap of this year's top trending pizza toppings that are creating buzz.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health remains in focus, pizzerias are now garnishing their pies with fermented vegetables, an unexpected fan favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring an articulated tang that beautifully enhances the luscious flavors of cheese and tomato base. These toppings do not only offer probiotics but also add intriguing textures to age-old pizza traditions.
The Fermentation Festival pizza is a prime example, boasting our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, subtly sweetened with a splash of local honey to mellow out the sharpness. It's a combination that may seem peculiar but has rapidly become one of our popular requests.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
As more people embrace plant-based diets, the interest in plant-derived protein toppings on pizzas has surged. Unconventional vegetable toppings aside, breakthroughs in this space have brought about meat substitute options that can fulfill the cravings of even the most ardent carnivores.
Varieties like Italian-style plant sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, pulled pork from marinated jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni now feature prominently on our menu. These plant-based proteins aren't just for vegans – they're selected by a broad array of customers for their distinct taste profiles and gentler digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is a dream for spice aficionados who now prefer distinctive regional chilis instead of generic pepper flakes. Calabrian chilis have kept their footing in popularity, but we are now seeing others like the aromatic Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilis, sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang claim their spots on pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza introduces a blend of four distinct regional chilies, adding a unique flavor to each quarter of the pie. This culinary journey through spice has gained particular fondness among our bold-taste-seeking customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement's newest iteration is a forest-to-pizza approach, thanks to the burgeoning trend of seasonal foraged toppings. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear sporadically throughout their growing season.
In addition to mushrooms, our experimentation has led to spring ramps (wild leeks), ocean gleanings like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive aromatic flavor. These natural ingredients offer a connection to the wilderness and flavors that aren't found in cultivated forms.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Complementing savory with sweet, honey has become a mainstay rather than a fleeting fancy. Building on the established presence of spicy honey in previous years, 2023 brings a burst in varieties of specialty honey used as finishing drizzles on pizzas right before they're served.
Among these, truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey are showing up in pizza establishments nationwide. These distinctive honey selections imbue a sophisticated edge, turning even the simplest pies into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that nearly made our top list but are still creating ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks finely shredded atop the pie like amber-hued frost
- Pickled tree fruits, in particular stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Heirloom grains, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum, adding crunch
- Dollops of craft butter, specifically cultured or seasoned with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who relishes time-honored toppings, or someone eager to sample pioneering flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At OpenLedger Pizzeria, we revere traditional crafting while eagerly exploring new flavor territories—this is why our menu boasts both the classic Margherita and avant-garde specialty creations.
Which of these trending toppings have you sampled? Or is there an innovative topping combination you'd love to see us introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit to our eatery!