Each new year introduces novel trends in the pizza industry, and 2023 stands out with its own distinctive flair. At MedianResource, we keep an eye on the flavors that pizza aficiandos across the world favor. Here is our list of the currently heralded and innovative pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With growing emphasis on digestive health, a new favorite amongst pizza toppings this year comprises fermented vegetables. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their layered sour notes, which wonderfully balance the decadence of cheese and sauce. These toppings are not just tasty but are packed with probiotics, and they introduce an intriguingly different texture to the classic pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, a novelty of ours, boasts house-prepared sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a hint of locally sourced honey to offset the sourness. Though it may seem like an offbeat pairing, it has quickly secured a spot as a top request amongst our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum of the plant-based dietary movement hasn't missed the pizza scene. There's been a notable surge in the demand for pizzas adorned with imaginative meat substitutions. Far beyond typical veggie toppings, new innovations in the realm of plant-based proteins offer choices that even die-hard carnivores can appreciate.
Alternatives like Italian sausage made from plants, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now staples on our menu. These options don't only cater to vegetarians but also to customers drawn to their distinctive flavors and less heavy feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who crave a fiery kick, 2023 is the year that pizza lovers are celebrating specific varieties of chili, moving away from the ubiquitous red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a steadfast choice, spices including Aleppo peppers, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang paste are gaining traction as flavorful toppings.
Our Global Heat pizza delivers an assortment of four diverse chili varieties, allocating each to a different segment, offering a piquant journey that's been highly favored by our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has matured into forest-to-pizza with the trend of seasonal foraged additions. Leading the way are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, adorning pizzas during their peak seasons.
But the exploration doesn't end at mushrooms; we've featured wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips, all delivering an essence of the wilderness to our pizzas and offering flavors that are essentially unrivalled by farm-grown produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has carved its niche as more than a transient fancy in the pizza domain. Moving on from the craze for hot honey, 2023 ushers in a spectrum of special honey types anointed onto pizzas just before they're served.
Infusions like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey are introduced across numerous establishments. This last flourish adds a heightened sophistication, transforming even the most basic pizzas into culinary masterpieces.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that nearly made it to our top five but are still making an impact include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas akin to a dusting of gold
- Pickled fruits, notably drupes such as peaches and cherries
- Heritage grains adding a crunch, like crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Drops of artisan butter, particularly those imbued with culture or mixed with herbs
Whether you adhere to the timeless classics or are eager to explore audacious new mixtures, pizza sustains its ranking as a universally adaptable and cherished dish. At MedianResource, we pay homage to time-honored practices while venturing into novelty—evident in our offerings from the quintessential Margherita to our avant-garde specialties.
Have you sampled any of these top trend-setting toppings? Or maybe you have an original favorite that you'd love us to feature? Drop us your thoughts in the comments or on your upcoming visit!