As each year passes, new pizza topping trends emerge, and the year 2023 has been no different. Here at PlainMarket, we stay up-to-date with the global preferences of pizza aficionados. Below is our curated list of the most sought-after and innovative pizza toppings that are making a splash now.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Embracing gut health has found its way onto pizza, with fermented veggies becoming an unexpected topping favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with a complex, tangy taste that pairs well with the typical richness of cheese and tomato. These toppings aren't just health-enhancing with probiotics; they add a new layer of texture to classic pizza.
The Fermented Fiesta pizza boasts our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a gorgonzola blend, all topped off with a honey local to the area to offset the sourness. It may strike as an atypical combo, but it's quickly climbed the ranks as one of the most-demanded signature pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend towards plant-forward diets hasn't missed the pizza industry, with a noticeable uptick in demand for pizzas adorned with imaginative meat substitutes. Beyond usual vegetables, the arrival of new plant-based proteins has given vegetarians and meat enthusiasts alike more choices.
Options like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, pulled pork from jackfruit, and pepperoni made from pea proteins have become a staple on our menu. These toppings aren't exclusive to herbivores - many of our patrons opt for them due to their distinctive tastes and lighter effect on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who chase the spice, 2023 has been a delight with pizza lovers turning to specific regional chilies over the more common crushed red pepper. The Calabrian chili still retains its fanbase from past years, yet now we see new entrants like Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and Korean gochujang gaining traction.
The Chili Explorer pizza presents an assortment of four distinct regional chilies, each imparting a unique flavor note to individual sections of the pizza. It’s the kind of fiery journey that's especially well-received by our more daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection between local farms and tables has stretched to pizza with the rise of seasonally foraged toppings. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with coveted types such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake gracing pizzas during their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've introduced wild leeks known as ramps, ocean-sourced greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic kick. These wild ingredients offer flavors that extend beyond what’s available in the commercial sphere, creating a direct link to nature.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory supplied by honey drizzles has transcended beyond a fleeting fad. Building upon the hot honey craze, the current year heralds the introduction of various specialty honey types atop pizzas just before they're ready to be enjoyed.
Diverse offerings like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and other unique infusions are starting to show up on pizzerias menus. These final touches contribute to a deeper flavor profile, transforming even the simplest of pizzas into high-end cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
A few additional toppings that didn't make it into our main list but are nonetheless creating waves include:
- Grated cured egg yolks, reminiscent of a golden blizzard over pizza
- Marinated stone fruits, notably peaches and plums
- Ancient grains for added crunchiness, like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Touches of artisan butter, both cultured and combined with herbs
No matter whether you're a purist who holds the classics dear or a culinary explorer keen on tasting novel blends, pizza remains the globe's most versatile and adored dish. At PlainMarket, we pay homage to traditional recipes while equally valuing culinary creativity—that's why both timeless Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas can be found on our menu.
Which of these top toppings have you tried? Or perhaps you have an extraordinary favorite combination in mind you'd wish we'd serve? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!