Each year, new gastronomic trends shake up the pizza scene, and 2023 is no different. At QuietField, keeping tabs on the flavors that captivate pizza aficionados worldwide is our speciality. We present to you our curated list of the most sizzling and crowd-pleasing pizza toppings of the present year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The growing emphasis on gut wellness has reached pizzerias, with fermented vegetables emerging as a surprising pizza topping favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are enriching pizzas with a sophisticated and zesty taste that harmoniously pairs with the creamy cheeses and sauces. Not just for their probiotic advantages, these fermented additions bring exciting new textural profiles to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Festivity pizza at our place is decked with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, gorgonzola cheese, and a finishing drizzle of local honey to offset the sourness. This blend might seem unconventional, but has fast become a top pick for our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With the surge in plant-based diets, there's been an uptick in pizza selections that showcase imaginative meat-substitute toppings. Spanning beyond the usual veggie options, the latest plant protein innovations offer selections that even appease staunch carnivores.
We've curated a selection including crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit akin to pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These protein options aren't exclusively for vegetarians; many patrons choose them for their distinct tastes and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is the year for those with a penchant for spice, with pizza lovers gravitating towards distinct regional chili types over ordinary crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies remain a preference from past years, and we're now seeing a presence of Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizza selections.
The Global Spice pizza offers an assortment of four different regional chilies, each bestowing its own distinct flavor to various sections of the pizza. This fiery exploration is particularly popular among our bold clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The evolution of the farm-to-table philosophy has brought about forest-to-pizza, a trend where foraged seasonal ingredients are taking center stage. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods surfacing in their prime season.
We're also experimenting with wild spring ramps (also known as wild leeks), ocean harvests such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients offer a connection to nature and present flavors that can't be replicated through cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between savory and sweet with honey has established itself as a fixture in the pizza industry. Following the trend of spicy honey, 2023 sees a burst in specialty honeys applied as finishing drizzles on pizzas.
Our menu features novel varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey. These toppings add a level of complexity, transforming standard pizzas into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Other notable toppings that narrowly missed making our main list but deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza, appearing like flurries of gold
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like cherries and apricots
- Textured grains such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Specialty dabs of butter, particularly those that are cultured or blended with aromatic herbs
Pizza retains its status as an adaptable and cherished dish worldwide, whether you’re one for timeless options or someone willing to explore pioneering flavor fusions. At QuietField, we cherish pizza-making traditions while also engaging with the new—that's the reason our menu includes both the classic Margherita and boundary-pushing gourmet pizzas.
Which of these trending toppings have you tried? Or do you have a distinctive favorite combo you'd wish to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!