This year has seen the emergence of new favorites in the realm of pizza, with culinary preferences advancing rapidly. At Slices & Smiles Pizzeria, we keep an observant eye on global pizza topping tendencies that enrapture our customers. Below, find the most in-demand and innovative toppings for pizzas right now.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has gained recognition in the pizza industry, making fermented vegetables an unexpected top-choice for today's pizza connoisseurs. Tangy Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a satisfying contrast to the heftiness of traditional cheeses and sauces. Not only do they offer the advantage of probiotics, but they also introduce a fresh texture to classic pizza presentations.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie uniquely marries our own sauerkraut and kimchi with gorgonzola cheese and is perfected with a touch of local honey that offsets the sharpness. This may seem like an unlikely pairing, yet it has quickly climbed the ranks to be one of our patrons' favorites.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has led to a growing request for meat substitute toppings on pizzas. Surpassing ordinary veggie toppings, advancements in meat alternatives have presented choices that even the most ardent carnivores can appreciate.
Our menu now includes plant-based Italian sausage crumbs, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit-based pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These aren't solely for vegetarians; many customers opt for these alternatives for their distinctive flavors and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who chase the heat, the trend in 2023 has shifted towards unique chilies with specific regional identities, moving away from generic red pepper flakes. There's sustained interest in Calabrian chilies, with the addition of distinct peppers like smoky ñoras, fruity aji amarillo, and gochujang from Korea finding their way onto more pizzas.
Our Global Heatwave pizza is an amalgamation of four distinct chilies, assigning each its own quarter of the pizza, providing a globe-trotting spicy experience that's particularly popular among our most intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local food movement has branched out to encompass a forest-to-pizza concept, thanks to the rising interest in seasonally foraged ingredients. Pioneering this trend are wild mushrooms, like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up on our menu in sync with their natural seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been experimenting with other wild edibles like spring ramps, sea vegetables including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips, forging a connection between our diners and the wild, while delivering flavors that can't be replicated in farmed environments.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey, with its capability to harmonize savory and sweet notes, has solidified its place as an enduring element on pizzas. Progressing from the hot honey craze of the past, the year 2023 has marked the rise in popularity of distinct honey varieties, used as a final flourish on pizzas before they’re served.
Exotic varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD are being adopted by pizzerias nationwide. These special touches add layers of sophistication and can transform a simple pizza into an artisanal creation.
Honorable Mentions
Some other noteworthy toppings that barely missed our list but definitely deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza like a fine dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Crisp toppings made from heritage grains like farro or sorghum adding textural elements
- Gourmet butter dabs, particularly those cultured or mixed with herbs
No matter if you're a pizza purist or a thrill-seeker in the culinary scene, pizza remains a universally adaptable and cherished dish. At Slices & Smiles Pizzeria, we reverence the classics while also welcoming novel tastes, which is why you'll find both the timeless Margherita and boundary-pushing recipes on our menu.
Have you partaken in any of these trendsetting toppings? Or do you have a one-of-a-kind combination in mind that you’d like to see on our selection? We're eager to hear from you in the comments or on your next visit!