As we move forward into the year, the pizza industry continues to be alive and well with fresh gastronomic fashions, and 2023 is no outlier. Here at SimpleFareHub, keeping an eye on what delights the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is part of our tradition. Take a look at our list of the year's most interesting and sought-after pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
There has been an unexpected ascent of fermented vegetables as a pizza topping favorite, thanks to newfound appreciation for digestive health. The addition of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions is endowing pies with a burst of tangy flavors that enhance the savory nature of traditional cheese and tomato sauce. Beyond the taste, these fermented options also offer a dose of probiotics and inject a new textural experience.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a harmonious mix that includes locally made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a honey drizzle to juxtapose the zesty flavors. It may sound striking, but it's rapidly turned into a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-focused diets hasn't lost momentum, which has translated into a growing preference for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. These aren't your average vegetables; the culinary scene has now introduced meat mimickers that have even hardcore carnivores doing a double take.
Our menu now proudly features toppings like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, savory seasoned tempeh, jackfruit in a pulled pork style, and pea protein pepperoni. These aren't exclusive to veggie eaters, as many customers opt for them due to their distinctive flavors and easy-to-digest qualities.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spicy food enthusiasts will be thrilled to know that 2023 is the year that specific chili varieties from various regions have overshadowed common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their reign, new entrants to the scene include Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang, bringing a range of heat profiles to pizza toppings.
Global Heat, our latest creation, is an amalgamation of four distinct regional chilies, each imparting its distinct flavors to the pie. This has been an especially big hit with customers who favor the daring side of dining.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local harvesting trend has ventured into the realm of pizza with an uptick in the popularity of seasonally foraged goods. Leading this bunch are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured during their prime seasons.
Our exploration didn't stop there; we've incorporated spring ramps (wild leeks), sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These additions not only bring unique flavors to the forefront but also strengthen the connection between our pizzas and the wilderness from which they originate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in counterbalancing savory flavors has secured its position on the pizza topping charts. Following the enthusiasm for spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed a proliferation of special honey varieties used as a final touch on pizzas.
Decadent truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite-inflected honey, and CBD-enriched honey have found their way into eateries nationwide. These extraordinary honeys not only enhance the overall taste but also transform even the simplest of pizzas into an artisanal meal.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings deserving recognition for their contribution to the pizza scene include:
- Cured egg yolks, generously grating over the pizza creating a rich, savory essence
- Pickled fruits that bring a sweet tang, with stone fruits like peaches and plums emerging as favorites
- Crisp textures achieved by heritage grains such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet touches with artisanal butter, either cultured or infused with herbs
Pizza remains a universal culinary delight, capable of embracing both timeless classics and novel creations. Here at SimpleFareHub, we pay homage to enduring favorites while also celebrating new culinary experiments, which is why you’ll discover dishes from the traditional Margherita to avant-garde specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have you ventured a taste of these on-trend toppings? Or perhaps, is there a unique mix of flavors you’d like to propose for our selection? Share your thoughts in the feedback section or during your next visit!