As with every year, the pizza landscape evolves with new flavors and interests, and 2023 has seen its own set of intriguing developments. At FreshCompass, we keep a close watch on the preferences of pizza connoisseurs worldwide. Here is a list of the topping trends that are currently in the spotlight.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Fermented vegetables have found their way onto pizza toppings, reflecting the interest in gut health. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a zesty tang that nicely cuts through the creamy cheese and sauce base. Apart from the probiotic advantages they offer, these fermented options introduce a new level of texture to the classic pizza.
Our novel Fermentation Fiesta pizza combines in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, with a finishing drizzle of locally-sourced honey to contrast the sourness. This seemingly quirky blend has quickly turned into one of our most popular specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has led to a demand for meat-alternative pizzas. Moving beyond regular veggie toppings, revolutionary plant-protein substitutes are winning over even the most ardent meat fans.
Options like plant-based Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now fixed items on our menu. These alternatives are chosen frequently, not only for their nutritional benefits but also for their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice enthusiasts have started to prefer distinctive regional chili varieties over generic hot pepper sprinkles. Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, but there's now a growing interest in unique peppers like smoky ñora from Spain, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and spicy Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza provides an assortment of four different regional chilies, presenting unique flavors to each quadrant of the pizza for a tantalizing culinary journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraging ingredients have gained traction, with seasonal wild mushrooms leading the charge due to the farm-to-table evolution. Varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are featured during their peak seasons.
We've also included ingredients like spring ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and spruce tips for their distinctive aromas. These natural components connect customers with the wilderness and offer incomparable tastes.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's sweet and savory dynamic has established itself as a classic combination, especially on pizza. The current year has witnessed a surge in the use of exotic honey types just prior to serving.
Varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey are spicing up the menus nationwide, adding a gourmet touch to ordinary pizza pairings.
Honorable Mentions
Other innovative toppings that narrowly missed making our main list but are still noteworthy include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over the pizza like a delicate dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grains like crispy farro or popped sorghum to add crunch
- Dollops of artisan butter, in particular cultured or compound butters blended with herbs
Whether your preference leans towards timeless classics or leans into novel flavor fusions, pizza remains one of the most adaptive and beloved dishes out there. At FreshCompass, we cherish the classics while also integrating new trends — you'll find the conventional Margherita and innovative creations alike on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these current topping trends? Or do you have a distinctive combination in mind that you'd like us to try? Share with us below in the comments or on your next visit!