As each new year arrives, so do fresh culinary sensations in the pizza universe, and the year 2023 is definitely not lacking in this trend. At ClearMeadow, our commitment lies in keeping tabs on the flavors that pizza aficionados worldwide are currently savoring. We're thrilled to present our list of the top buzzy pizza toppings of this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive wellness has traversed into pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected favorite on top of pizzas. The complexity and zest of kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are perfect for enhancing the cheesy, saucy layers of a pizza. These toppings are not just beneficial for gut health due to their probiotics but also add a novel texture to the pizza experience.
Try our Fermentation Celebration pie, topped with our unique sauerkraut and kimchi blend along with gorgonzola cheese, and lightly drizzled with locally sourced honey to offset the sour taste. This blend may seem out of the ordinary, yet it has quickly risen to become a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The upward trajectory of plant-based diets has correspondingly led to an increased desire for pizzas that exhibit ingenious substitutes for meat. These alternatives go beyond the common veggie toppings, with plant-based protein innovations pleasing even staunch carnivores.
Menu newcomers include crumbly plant-based Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork marinades, and pepperoni made from pea protein. Such proteins cater not only to those who prefer plant-based diets but also to patrons who enjoy their distinctive tastes and reduced impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with an affinity for spice are celebrating, as 2023 has seen a trend where pizza lovers are choosing specific types of regional chilies over general red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain popular as before, other varieties like the smoky ñora chilies from Spain, the fruit-flavored aji amarillo from Peru, and even Korean gochujang are starting to feature on pizzas.
Consider our Global Heat pizza, which showcases a mix of four distinctive chilies, each lending its unique heat and flavor to the pizza. This fiery offering is particularly admired by our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local food movement has evolved into pizza with the burgeoning trend of using foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, gracing pizza tops during their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating ramps (wild leeks) in the spring, sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to impart a distinctive, fragrant note. These wild ingredients offer a taste of nature and proffer flavors that cultivated crops simply cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The intricate dance of honey's sweetness with savory notes has rightfully earned its place beyond being a mere fad. Expanding from the well-received spicy honey, 2023 has brought about an assortment of unique honey varieties to drizzle over pizzas at the very last moment.
Exquisite options like truffle honey, garlic honey that has undergone fermentation, smoky mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD are escalating in popularity on menus nationwide. These final touches infuse sophistication, transforming even the simplest pizzas into indulgent fare.
Honorable Mentions
While they may not have made our top five, the following toppings are nonetheless creating a stir:
- Salted egg yolks, grated over the pizza like a shower of golden flakes
- Marinated fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Crunchy toppings from ancient grains, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Globs of specialized butter, notably the cultured or herbed variety
Whether your preferences lean towards timeless classics or you're keen on exploring daring new flavor mergers, pizza remains the quintessential versatile and cherished dish worldwide. At ClearMeadow, we salute long-standing traditions while boldly adopting the new—that's how we guarantee a menu with both classic Margherita and avant-garde pies.
Have any of these trending toppings graced your palate? Or perhaps you harbor a novel topping concoction you'd love to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your upcoming visit!