With each new year, we witness a wave of fresh trends in the pizza universe, and 2023 has its own set of top players. At EquilibriumNexus, staying abreast of international pizza trends is part of our mission. Here’s our curated list of this year’s trending pizza toppings that are all the rage.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The quest for better digestive health has made its presence known in the pizza industry, with fermented veggies taking center stage on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending an intricate, sour zest that beautifully balances the creamy cheese and luscious sauce. Not just flavorful, these toppings are a great source of probiotics and bring novel textures to the classic pizza.
Feast on our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all harmonized by a sweet drizzle of local honey. It's an odd pairing, perhaps, but it’s soaring in demand as one of our unique specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more consumers choose to eat plant-based, demand has spiked for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. These aren’t your typical veggie toppings; breakthroughs in plant proteins are now serving up mouthwatering meat analogs.
Toppings on our pizzas now include plant-derived Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, tangy marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein mimicking pepperoni. These toppings aren't exclusive to vegetarians—they’re also a hit with customers who enjoy their unique tastes and the benefits of a lighter meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving a spicy kick are in for a treat, as aficionados are now choosing distinct, regional chilies over the ubiquitous red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies hold onto their popularity, guests have discovered the diverse palates of Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang.
Try our Global Heat pizza for a spicy gastronomic journey, spotlighting a blend of four chilies, each offering a distinct taste to the pizza’s quadrants. This fiery delight has been a hit with our more daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection between the wilderness and your plate has grown stronger with the surge in popularity of foraged goods from nature’s pantry for pizza. Stars of this trend are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, surfacing at various times of the year.
In addition to mushrooms, we’re seeing an uptick in wild spring ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These ingredients bridge the gap between the pizza and the wilderness, offering irreplicable tastes.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The juxtaposition of sweet and savory with honey has become a staple in the pizza realm, far surpassing being a fleeting fancy. In 2023, a variety of specialty honeys have been making their way onto pizzas as a finishing touch before they’re served.
Options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey are enriching menus nationwide. These honey variations contribute a nuanced complexity to our pizzas, transforming even simple combinations into sophisticated delights.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings that were close contenders for our top five, but are still causing a buzz, include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza creating a golden dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain accoutrements, like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum offering a unique bite
- Gourmet dollops of butter, especially the cultured or herbed varieties
Whether your taste favors timeless classics or you’re a culinary pioneer eager for new flavor mergers, pizza remains an infinitely versatile and cherished dish. At EquilibriumNexus, we pay homage to time-honored recipes whilst diving into the new — and that’s why you’ll discover both the traditional Margherita and avant-garde models on our menu.
Which of these trendy toppings have you sampled? Or perhaps you have a novel favorite you’d like to see us offer? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!