The pizza industry sees a new wave of flavor trends with each passing year, and in 2023, these trends are particularly noteworthy. At SharedInformationHub, we keep an eye out for what's conquering the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Take a look at our selection of the top, trendsetting pizza toppings for this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizzerias are now highlighting gut-friendly options, with fermented vegetables emerging as a top choice. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are offering multifaceted, sour notes that balance the creamy cheeses and sauces. These tasty fermented additions provide gut health benefits and bring an intriguing new texture to the classic pizza.
Our Gut-Healthy Gala pizza is adorned with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, and is gently touched with regional honey for a sweetness that offsets the sourness. Though it may sound unconventional, it has swiftly gained popularity as one of our top specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more consumers adopt plant-forward diets, plant-based meats are becoming a pizza staple, going beyond ordinary veggies. New meat substitute innovations like plant-based sausage bits, spiced tempeh, jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea protein designed to taste like pepperoni, are now fixtures on our menu. These toppings attract not just vegetarians, but many other customers for their distinct tastes and easier digestion.
3. Specialty Chilies
Those who prefer their pizza with a bit of heat are thrilled that specialty chilies from various regions have found a place on pizza, replacing the usual red pepper flakes. Customers have sustained their enthusiasm for Calabrian chilies, while we are introducing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang to our selection.
Our International Zest pizza combines a quartet of distinctive chilies—each lending their own tasting notes to the mix. It's a fiery culinary trip that has caught the attention of our more daring customers.
4. Fresh Wild Ingredients
The trend of using foraged ingredients brings a piece of the wilderness to pizza, especially with the popularity of wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods when they are in season.
We've been integrating wild ramps, marine vegetation like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips to our recipes. These ingredients offer diners a connection to the wilderness while providing unparalleled flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has become a mainstay for introducing a sweet counterpoint to savory pizzas. 2023 is seeing a variety of exotic honey options like truffle-infused honey, garlic honey, sweet-smelling mesquite honey, which are drizzled atop our pizzas before serving, adding a sophisticated twist to even the simplest pizza recipes.
Honorable Mentions
Other accompaniments that didn't make the top five but are still gaining popularity include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated over the pizza creating a savory dusting
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Whole grains for added crunch, with options like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Specialty butters, including cultured or herb-infused varieties, dotted onto the pizza surface
Whether you’re someone who sticks with traditional flavors or you’re open to experimenting with bold combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored foods worldwide. At SharedInformationHub, we respect time-honored recipes while also delivering state-of-the-art pizza experiences, offering everything from classic Margherita to innovative creations.
Have any of these leading-edge toppings caught your eye? Or perhaps you have a novel topping idea that you'd like us to consider? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!