As pizza continues to captivate culinary aficionados, the year 2023 has not disappointed in bringing fresh favorites to the forefront. At PlainViewHub Pizzeria, remaining on the pulse of what delights our patrons’ palettes is paramount. Take a look at our curated list of this year’s top pizza toppings that are stirring excitement.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The wellness trend spotlighting gut health has made its entry into pizza kitchens, with fermented toppings taking pizzas by storm. The likes of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are introducing a zesty complexity to balance the mellow nature of cheese and tomato sauce. These garnishes are replete with probiotics while offering a novelty in texture for the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta specialty, topped with in-house sauerkraut, handcrafted kimchi, and bold gorgonzola, garnished with a touch of local honey, might seem eccentric, but it has swiftly become a customer favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascension of plant-based diets has not overlooked pizza, leading to a heightened demand for inventive meat substitutes as toppings. Surpassing the usual veggie options, breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins have produced selections which even ardent carnivores appreciate.
The menu now boasts plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit with a “pulled pork” twist, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni. These toppings appeal not just to vegetarians, but to anyone seeking a distinctive taste and lighter fare.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek a bit of heat, the appeal of distinct regional chili types has surpassed that of the common red pepper flakes. Although Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, other varieties like aromatic Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and the deep flavors of Korean gochujang are also gracing pizzas.
The International Zest pizza is an eclectic mix of these diverse chilies, each adding their special note to the pie, a choice that’s become a hit with the more daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The tree-to-toppings trend emerges from the farm-to-table movement, popularizing wild, foraged ingredients. Leading this wave, exotic mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are spotted seasonally topping pizzas.
Other wild edibles like spring ramps (wild leeks), oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips have graced our pizzas, foraging a connection to nature while offering irreplaceable tastes.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory from honey has secured its place beyond a fleeting craze. Spiraling from the hot honey trend, gourmet varieties of honey are now a final flourish on pizzas, introduced just before service.
Assorted honeys including ones infused with truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and honey with CBD serve as the distinguished finish that transforms a simple pizza into culinary art.
Honorable Mentions
Not quite making the top list, yet deserving of recognition are the following toppings:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely shaved over the pizza for a luxurious texture
- Various pickled fruits, with a penchant for stone fruits like cherries and apricots
- Ancient grain additions, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially cultured or herb-infused varieties
Whether one leans towards the timeless classics or seeks to explore bold, innovative pairings, pizza remains a universal culinary canvas. At PlainViewHub Pizzeria, we celebrate time-honored recipes alongside exploratory ones, ensuring that our menu caters to all cravings—from the venerable Margherita to avant-garde creations.
Have any of these novel toppings made it to your plate? Or, perhaps you have a unique preference you'd like us to consider? We invite your thoughts in the comments or during your subsequent visit to us!