Each year introduces fresh trends in the art of pizza making, and the year 2023 is well in stride. At UrbanForum Pizzeria, we keep our pulse on the flavors that are enthralling pizza aficionados worldwide. Below is our list of the current top pizza toppings that are causing quite a stir this season.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health continues to be a hot topic, fermented veggies have made a surprising splash atop pizzas this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are adding intricate sour notes that perfectly offset the creamy cheeses and hearty sauces. These fermented options bring both probiotic pluses and introduce a new realm of texture to the pizza experience.
The Festival of Fermentation pizza is our newest creation, boasting in-house sauerkraut, zesty kimchi, and sharp gorgonzola cheese, with a final drizzle of local honey to counterbalance the acidity. While the combination may seem peculiar at first, it has quickly become a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum of plant-based diets hasn't slowed down, and this has translated to a heightened demand for pizzas adorned with alternative, meat-free proteins. No longer confined to just plain vegetables, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins have led to toppings that can hold their own against traditional meat options.
On our menu, you'll find plant-based Italian sausage pieces, savory tempeh morsels, marinated jackfruit resembling pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These ingredients aren't exclusively for vegetarians, as many patrons opt for them due to their distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Thrill-seekers are in luck this year, as pizza enthusiasts are gravitating towards specific types of regional chilies, distancing themselves from the usual crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies, for instance, continue to be well-loved, but now we're experiencing a burst of unique flavors from peppers like fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, and the savory depth of Korean gochujang.
The Global Heat Wave pizza includes a quartet of these diverse chilies, with each one contributing its signature spiciness to a different segment of the pizza. This daring offering has gained popularity among those looking for a culinary escapade.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The trend of sourcing directly from nature has extended to pizzas, with seasonal foraged ingredients attaining newfound popularity. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured prominently when they're in season.
In addition to mushrooms, our exploration has spanned to wild ramps (wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and even the aromatic spruce tips. These wildcrafted additions bring our customers closer to nature while delivering flavors that are unreplicated in farm-raised produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The juxtaposition of sweet honey with savory pizza has definitively proven its staying power beyond a fleeting craze. Expanding on the hot honey trend of recent years, 2023 welcomes a bouquet of specialty honey types being drizzled on top of pizzas just before they’re consumed.
Attractive varieties like truffle honey, tangy fermented garlic honey, aromatic smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey are cropping up on pizza parlor menus nationwide. These nuanced touches are transforming even simple pizza recipes into sophisticated culinary delights.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings that didn't quite make our primary list but are still creating a buzz include:
- Finely grated cured egg yolks, adding a decadent snow-like dusting to pizzas
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on orchard gems like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain garnishes, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum, for added crunch
- Dollops of artisanal butter, especially in varieties mixed with culture or herbs
Whether you're an enthusiast of time-honored pizza traditions or a connoisseur always on the lookout for groundbreaking flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most universally adaptable and cherished dishes. At UrbanForum Pizzeria, we celebrate the classics while also welcoming innovation, which is why our menu features both staple Margherita pizzas and our latest avant-garde creations.
Have you sampled any of these trending toppings? Or do you have a personal favorite mix you'd enjoy seeing on our menu? Share with us in the comments section or at your next visit!