As each year unfolds, so do fresh pizza topping trends, with 2023 being no different. At UniverseToday, we closely watch the emerging flavors that pizza enthusiasts worldwide are swooning over. Here are this year's top choices for pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health's significance has sifted into pizza topping preferences, with fermented vegetables rising to the fore. Such toppings as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions add a tangy zing that perfectly offset the creamy cheeses and sauces, also bringing probiotic benefits and a new component of texture to traditional pizzas.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with artisanal sauerkraut, in-house kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a final drizzle of artisan honey, is an unconventional blend that's quickly soared in popularity.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has translated to an upswing in pizzas adorned with various meat substitutes. These innovative, plant-derived proteins go beyond the typical veggie toppings to include items that can appeal even to the most ardent carnivores.
We now list meat substitutes like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea-based pepperoni as staples in our menu. They cater to not just vegetarians but also to customers looking for novel tastes and a digestive-friendly meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a preference for spicy fare are celebrating the introduction of distinct regional chili varieties on pizzas, moving past the standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies remain popular, chilies such as the aromatic Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have also graced our pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza is a combination of four distinct regional chilies, offering a unique spicy profile for each section of the pie—a hot favorite among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
With the escalation of farm-to-table ethos, we're now witnessing a trend towards incorporating wild, foraged ingredients onto pizzas. Leading this trend are various wild mushrooms, like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, depending on their growth season.
We've also been experimenting with wild ramps, sea delicacies including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to furnish a distinct aromatic twist, inviting our patrons to a taste of the wilderness that commercial cultivation can't replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The amalgamation of honey's sweetness with savory pizza components has secured its place as a staple trend. Superior varieties of honey have emerged in 2023, garnishing pizzas for added depth of flavor.
Honey types such as truffle-infused, fermented garlic, mesquite-smoked, and even varieties infused with CBD are revolutionizing menu offerings nationwide, transforming even the most basic pizzas to gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Some other notable toppings that narrowly missed our top five but still have significant traction include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately shaved atop pizzas
- Pickled stone fruits, like peaches and cherries
- Traditional grains for crunch, such as toasted farro or sorghum
- Dollops of crafted butters, like cultured or herbed varieties
Pizza remains one of the most versatile and universally cherished dishes, whether you lean towards the time-honored classics or venture into the realm of new flavor combinations. At UniverseToday, we bridge the gap between honoring tradition and encouraging culinary creativity—that's evident in our offering of both the eternal favoriteMargherita and our avant-garde specialty creations.
Have these trendy toppings made it to your pizza yet? Or is there an original topping combination on your mind that you’d love us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments or tell us on your next visit!