As pizza remains a culinary favorite, each year introduces fresh topping trends that capture pizza aficionados' hearts, and 2023 has brought its own flavorful twists. CitrusGrove is at the forefront, keeping tabs on global pizza topping sensations. Below, we've curated a list of this year's standout and favorite toppings that are stirring excitement.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has influenced pizza menus with fermented vegetables taking a surprising top spot in this year's trends. Incorporating kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions brings a burst of tangy taste that perfectly balances the creamy cheeses and savory sauces. These toppings are valued for their probiotic qualities and add an intriguing textural contrast to pizza's traditional profile.
Unveiling our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, you'll find a homemade mix of sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, cleverly offset with a touch of local honey to soften the sour notes. Though it may seem unconventional, it's quickly emerged as a highly sought-after gourmet option.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The demand for plant-based dietary options continues to surge and with it comes an increased interest in pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. More than just veggies, these new plant-based proteins are drawing in carnivores with their meat-like qualities.
Crumble-style plant-based Italian sausage, herb-infused tempeh, pulled pork from marinated jackfruit, and pepperoni slices made from pea protein are now starring on our menu. Chosen not only by vegetarians but also by those who are drawn to their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Pizza enthusiasts are eschewing generic heat in favor of distinct, regional chili varieties to add spice to their slices in 2023. Even as Calabrian chilies hold onto popularity, we're experiencing the rise of Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies with smoky undertones, the fruity zest of Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang as pizza adornments.
Our International Spice pizza is a quartet of these diverse regional chilies, each lending a unique taste to the pizza's quarters. It's a popular choice for those who favor a spicy gastronomic journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Following a natural progression from the farm-to-table concept, foraged ingredients have sparked interest in pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing during their growth seasons.
Our exploration in foraged goods has led us to include spring ramps, seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips, which offer a distinct aromatic flair. These elements connect pizza lovers to nature and offer flavors that cannot be replicated by cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey drizzles continue to sweeten the deal on pizzas, with a push beyond just the hot honey trend of past years into 2023. Gourmet variations such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are making their way onto pizza just before it's served.
These gourmet honey types introduce a sophisticated edge to even the simplest of pizzas, combining with other ingredients to achieve gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
Some other unique toppings just shy of making our top list yet still causing a stir include:
- Finely grated cured egg yolks dusted over the pizza for a rich umami taste
- Pickled fruits, with an emphasis on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain sprinkles, including crispy farro or puffed sorghum, for added crunch
- Spots of artisan butter, particularly nuanced flavors like cultured or herbed compound butters
Whether your tastes lean towards time-honored classics or you're eager to sample daring new flavor combinations, pizza's enduring adaptability continues to win over hearts worldwide. At CitrusGrove, we strike a balance between respecting traditions and fostering innovation—expect to find both the classic Margherita and our avant-garde creations on our menu.
Interested in weighing in on these latest topping trends, or have a preferred mix you’d love to see us feature? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on your next visit!