Each year paves the way for new pizza gastronomic tendencies, and 2023 is no different. At PineFlower, we keep an eye on the flavors captivating pizza aficionados worldwide. Here’s our curated list of top pizza toppings shaking up this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention to gut wellness has led to the unexpected addition of fermented vegetables on pizza menus. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are providing a tart zest that nicely complements the creamy cheese and sauce. These toppings aren’t just tasty—they offer probiotic advantages and bring a new textural contrast to pizza.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a hit, with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all rounded off with a hint of local honey to counteract the sourness. This unique mix may sound odd, but it’s rapidly become one of our sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-centered diets has led to an increased interest in pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond typical veggies, new plant-protein alternatives are pleasing even staunch carnivores.
We've incorporated plant-based Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni into our menu. These toppings aren't only for those avoiding meat—they're also a hit for their distinctive tastes and digestive ease.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who enjoy a bit of spice are celebrating the arrival of distinct regional chili varieties over ordinary hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be well-liked, other varieties such as the smoky Spanish ñora, fruit-like Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also being featured.
Our “World Spice” pizza lets customers taste four distinct chilies, each offering a different flavor to sections of the pizza. This fiery expedition is particularly well-received by our boldest customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table concept has expanded into forest-to-pizza with foraged ingredients gaining popularity. Forest mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are topping pizzas during their peak seasons.
We’ve also been working with wild ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their unique fragrance. These ingredients offer diners an unmistakable connection to nature and flavors that aren’t found in commercial agriculture.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's sweet and savory dynamics have become more than a fleeting craze. 2023 has brought about a range of specialized honeys as finishing touches on pizzas.
Ingredients like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are showing up in pizzerias nationwide. These honeys add a sophisticated twist and can elevate basic pizzas to the level of gourmet dishes.
Honorable Mentions
Other notable toppings that are quite trendy even though they didn’t make the top five:
- Grated cured egg yolks offering a rich umami flavor to the pizza
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Heritage grains that add a crunch, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisanal butter, including those flavored with herbs
Whether you stick to traditional flavors or are eager to explore new ones, pizza remains an ever-adaptable and loved dish worldwide. At PineFlower, we honor the classics while also valuing culinary creativity, which is why our menu consists of both beloved traditional recipes and the latest innovative pies.
Have you sampled any of these top trends? Or do you have a special topping combination in mind you’d like to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!