As each year passes, the pizza scene welcomes new flavors and 2023 has brought its own set of evolving tastes. At GreenLeafSalad, keeping tabs on what's delighting pizza aficionados worldwide is our specialty. We present the top pizza toppings that are currently reigning supreme.
1. Fermented Vegetables
This year, the emphasis on gut health has found its way onto the pizza scene with fermented vegetables rising as a top choice for toppings. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are contributing nuanced zesty flavors that pair perfectly with the creamy cheeses and sauces. Not just for health benefits, these fermented toppings also add new textural layers to the classic pizza foundation.
The unexpected yet appealing combo of house-cultivated sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped with a local honey drizzle, is what our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is all about. The medley may seem unconventional, yet it has swiftly climbed the ranks to be a crowd-favorite specialty pie.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Plant-based dietary choices are gaining traction, and the demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes has significantly increased. Not just your usual veggies, the newest wave of plant-based proteins include selections designed to cater to traditional meat enthusiasts as well.
Options such as plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, expertly seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are becoming staples in our offering. These toppings attract a diverse demographic, not solely vegetarians, due to their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
The year 2023 has seen thrill-seekers embracing distinct regional chili varieties over the standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, we're now observing the rise of unique types like the flavorful Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza at our parlor offers a selection of four different area-specific chilies, each adding its own unique taste profile to individual quadrants of the pie. This spicy globe-trotting creation has earned favor with our more adventure-seeking customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The transition from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza reflects the upwards trend of using wild foraged ingredients by season. Leading the game are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, all popping up on pizzas when in season.
We're going beyond mushrooms, with spring ramps (wild leeks), seaborne greens like dulse and nori, and even pine tips to add an extraordinary aromatic twist. These foraged additions establish a deeper connection to nature while introducing flavors that commercial cultivation just can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to offer a delightful contrast of sweet and savory on pizza has become more than a fad. Expanding on the well-received spicy honey varieties of the past, 2023 has brought forth a plethora of specialty honey types to enhance pizzas right before serving.
Drizzles of truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey have begun adorning pizzas, each lending a layer of complexity and transforming simple pies into sophisticated culinary experiences.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few other toppings that didn't make our top five but deserve a shout-out for their impact:
- Salted egg yolks grated over pizza like a lavish dusting
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additions such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet butter dollops, notably cultured or herbed compound butters
Pizza's adaptability and global love affair make it possible for traditionalists and experimentalists alike to find their perfect match. At GreenLeafSalad, we celebrate classic favorites as well as welcome new tastes—that's why from age-old Margherita to avant-garde pies, you can find it all on our menu.
Have you experienced any of these trending toppings yet? Or perhaps there's a unique topping blend you're eager to see us introduce? We invite your comments or suggestions the next time you're in!