With each new year, the pizza industry sees fresh trends coming into play, and 2023 is not shy of its own novelties. At HarborOriginVoyage, we keep a close eye on topping favorites that are capturing the hearts and palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here, we introduce you to the top pizza toppings that are gaining popularity this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With gut health in the culinary spotlight, fermented vegetables have surprisingly become a favorite on pizzas. The introduction of tangy flavors such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions is enriching the creamy consistency of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings are a source of probiotics and add new textures that enhance the traditional pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, with its in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped with a local honey drizzle, may seem unconventional but has fast become one of our most popular signature pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend towards plant-based diets has translated into a surge in plant-inspired pizza toppings. Beyond classic veggie options, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins are offering alternatives that even impress avid meat fans.
Our menu now includes plant-derived Italian sausage crumbles, spiced tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings, rich in flavor, are not solely for plant-forward diners but are chosen by many for their distinctive tastes and less heavy impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who enjoy a spicy touch, 2023 has encouraged an appreciation for specific and unique chilies. While Calabrian chilies remain popular, we have observed a newfound love for distinct chilies like smoky Spanish ñoras, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and Korean gochujang.
Our Pepper Pilgrimage pizza offers a combination of four distinct chilies, each lending their own fiery flavor pointer to various sections, a favorite among diners in search of culinary excitement.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table trend has progressed to include forest-to-table as foraged finds gain attention. Leading the craze are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that are featured in their peak seasons.
We're not just stopping at mushrooms; our exploration has extended to include spring ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These foraged ingredients offer a connection to nature and flavors that can’t be replicated in a cultivated environment.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The union of sweet and savory introduced by honey drizzles has been more than a fad. Capitalizing on the hot honey trend, this year has unveiled an array of special honey types which are added atop pizzas before serving.
Varieties such as truffle infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-laden honey are popping up on menus nationwide, providing a gourmet element to even simple pizza creations.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that just missed making our top five but still deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza to create a velvety dusting
- Acidic fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Toppings made from heritage grains, adding a crunch like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet butter dollops, including cultured and herbed compound butters
Whether you're someone who cherishes classic flavors or a pioneering spirit eager for novel tastes, pizza remains one of the most versatile and beloved dishes worldwide. At HarborOriginVoyage, we celebrate tradition while also embracing what’s new—that's evident in our range from the timeless Margherita to avant-garde pizzas on our menu.
Have you explored any of these current topping trends? Or perhaps you have a special combination of your own in mind that you would love us to consider? Share your thoughts in the comments or drop by for a visit!