As the years change, so do the tantalizing trends in the pizza universe, and the year 2023 has brought forth a fresh batch of crowd-pleasers. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, keeping an eye on the global pizza palate is our forte. We're excited to present our curated list of this year's most celebrated pizza topping sensations.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With a growing interest in gut wellness, fermented vegetables have made their surprising mark on the pizza scene this year. The likes of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions lend a sophisticated, tangy kick that perfectly balances the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These fermented favorites don't just enhance gut health with probiotics, but they also add intriguing textural nuances to the classic pizza canvas.
Our innovative Fermentation Festivity pizza marries house-crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all artfully rounded off with a sweet drizzle of local honey to counteract the tang. It may sound unconventional, but this pie is fast gaining popularity as a top specialty choice.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people embrace a plant-forward lifestyle, the demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meatless options continues to surge. Moving past traditional veggie toppings, the rise of plant-based meat alternatives has welcomed newcomers that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Menu items now include plant-based Italian sausage chunks, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit in a pulled pork style, and pea protein pepperoni varieties. These plant-based selections appeal to all, not just vegetarians, due to their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Lovers of spice are celebrating as this year has welcomed an appreciation for particular chilies from various locales over the usual generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their reign, the introduction of Aleppo peppers, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have broadened the horizon for spicy pizza options.
Our Pepper Palooza pizza is a spicy explorer's dream, featuring an assortment of these distinct chilies, each bringing its own flavor profile to the pie, providing our more daring patrons with an exhilarating, fiery journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing revolution has ventured from the fields to the pizza with the burgeoning popularity of wild, seasonal ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which grace our pizzas when in season.
We've branched out to include forest finds such as spring ramps, shoreline offerings like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive piney flavor. These gifts from nature bring a taste of the wild while imparting undomesticated, pure flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet with savory, highlighted by honey drizzles, has secured its place in the pizza world beyond a fleeting fad. Expanding on the previous success of spicy honey, a variety of specialty honeys have burst onto the scene, added to pizzas right before serving in 2023.
Noteworthy contenders include truffle honey, garlic fermented in honey, a hint of smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey. These drizzles lend a sophisticated touch and can transform even the simplest of pizzas to something gastronomically exceptional.
Honorable Mentions
A couple of toppings that were close to making our top five but are definitely causing a stir include:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over the pizza for a rich, umami experience
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain accents like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Drops of artisanal butters, adding nuanced flavor with varieties like cultured or herbed compounds
Whether you're a purist who holds the classics dear or someone who revels in experimental flavors, pizza remains a universally loved and incredibly adaptable dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we pay homage to the classics while also venturing into new territory—which means you'll find both the time-honored Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have any of these new topping trends graced your palate? Or perhaps there's a unique combination you'd love to see on our menu? Share your insights in the comments, or let us know during your next visit!