With every new year, we see emerging food trends in the pizza scene, and 2023 is teeming with novelty. At EverlastingDiscoveries, keeping a pulse on the favorites of pizza aficionados worldwide is part of our ethos. Here is a list of the top pizza toppings that have become sensations this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has come to the forefront in pizzerias, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Flavorsome options like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are adding a tangy zest that enhances the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These toppings also deliver probiotic perks while adding new textures to the traditional pizza experience.
Our innovative Fermentation Fiesta pizza includes our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, topped off with a touch of local honey to smooth out the sourness. Though it might seem out of the ordinary, it is fast becoming a sought-after choice among our specialty offerings.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As vegetarian diets gain momentum, the call for plant-based meat substitutes on pizzas has skyrocketed. These aren't just average veggie toppings—cutting-edge plant-based alternatives are satisfying even the staunchest carnivores out there.
We now regularly serve up plant-based Italian sausage crumble, spiced tempeh, savory marinated jackfruit 'pulled pork,' and pea protein 'pepperoni.' These tasty options are not just for plant-eaters—customers often opt for them due to their distinct flavors and less heavy feeling post-meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who crave a bit of fire on their pizza, 2023 has seen a turn towards specific regional chilies in place of the generic red pepper flakes. Popular chilies like Calabrian are holding strong, but other zesty contenders like Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are becoming pizza staples.
Our Global Heat pizza features an assortment of four diverse chilies that each contributes its own distinct flavor to separate sections of the pizza, proving to be a hit among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has expanded into forest-to-pizza with a growing interest in wild, foraged toppings. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing in line with their natural seasons.
We're also exploring other natural ingredients such as wild ramps, oceanic plants like dulse and nori, and aromatically intriguing spruce tips. These ingredients forge a connection to nature and offer unparalleled flavors that domestic cultivation can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The use of honey to create a sweet and savory balance on pizzas has become more than a fleeting fad. Expanding on the appeal of spicy honey, this year has witnessed a surge in the use of exotic honey variants as a final flourish on pizzas.
Options like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enhanced honey are sprinkling across menus nationwide. These honey types serve as the final detail that transforms even the simplest of pizzas into a deluxe dish.
Honorable Mentions
Some other notable toppings that have just missed making it to our top five but are still creating ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over pizzas for a rich finish
- Preserved fruits, particularly drupes such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additions, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for an extra texture
- Gourmet butter portions, especially cultured or herb-infused butter varieties
Whether you're a purist who enjoys the timeless favorites or someone willing to explore daring new flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored dishes globally. At EverlastingDiscoveries, we celebrate the classics while also welcoming innovation—reflecting our dedication to offering you both the quintessential Margherita and boundary-pushing specialty pizzas.
Have you experienced any of these trendy toppings yet? Or is there a special combo you're dying to see us create? Share with us in the comments, or let us know during your next visit!