As we navigate through the culinary landscape of the pizza industry each year, 2023 has unveiled its own set of trends. Here at SunlitMossBridge, our team is dedicated to discovering what new toppings are capturing the hearts of pizza aficionados worldwide. Below is a curated list of this year’s top pizza toppings that are dominating menus everywhere.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With an increased focus on health benefits, fermented vegetables have taken the pizza scene by surprise. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are offering delicious tangy flavors that perfectly balance out the creamy nature of the traditional cheese and tomato sauce, while imparting a nutritious edge with their probiotic qualities.
The innovative Fermentation Fiesta pie introduces our in-house sauerkraut paired with kimchi and gorgonzola cheese, sweetened with a hint of local honey to soften the sour notes. This combination, though unconventional, is fast becoming one of our most sought-after specialties.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has permeated the pizza market, resulting in a noticeable increase in the demand for veggie-centric meat substitutes. Beyond regular veggie toppings, new plant-based proteins are being welcomed onto pizzas, pleasing even the staunchest carnivores.
Choices such as plant-based Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit in a pulled pork style, and pea protein pepperoni have proudly taken their place on our menu. These options aren't exclusively for vegans or vegetarians; they are a hit for their distinctive taste profiles and lighter impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who crave a bit of heat, 2023 has shown a favor towards specific chili varieties from around the globe that offer more distinct flavors than generic chili flakes. We've noticed a sustained preference for Calabrian chilies, along with a new love for aromatic Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and bold Korean gochujang.
The Global Heat pizza is a daring choice featuring a mix of these diverse chilies, each quadrant of the pie flavored with a different chili to create a fiery fusion of taste.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has evolved to forest-to-pizza with the growing trend of incorporating foraged seasonal ingredients. Wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are notable forays, gracing pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
We've also embraced the use of wild ramps (wild leeks), sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive flavors and connection to nature that cultivated ingredients lack.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Combining sweet and savory, honey has become a mainstay topping. 2023 has welcomed a variety of specialty honeys to pizza counters. These include luscious truffle honey, savory fermented garlic honey, rich smoky mesquite honey, and innovative CBD-infused honey, which are drizzled over pizzas to create a sophisticated taste sensation.
Honorable Mentions
There are additional toppings not making the top list but still causing a stir, such as:
- Cured egg yolks grated finely like delicate golden flakes
- Pickled fruits, notably stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Grains with a heritage, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially varieties enriched with cultures or herbs
Whether your preference lies with the timeless classics or you're tempted by new, daring flavors, pizza's versatility continues to endear it to diners worldwide. SunlitMossBridge reveres classic traditions while also exploring avant-garde tastes, which is why our menu features both the iconic Margherita and innovative gastronomic creations.
Have you sampled any of these topping trends? Or perhaps you'd like to see a unique topping combination featured on our menu? Share your thoughts below or during your next visit!