The pizza landscape continues to evolve as each new year introduces fresh and exciting trends. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we are always keeping an eye out for what's catching the fancy of pizza aficionados across the world. Here we present the top five pizza toppings of the year that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has become a key consideration in the pizza industry, leading to the rise of fermented vegetables as an unexpected favorite topping in recent times. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions bring a complex, sour taste that complements the creamy texture of the cheese and sauce, while offering probiotic health benefits and introducing new textures to the classic pizza.
Featured in our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, we offer our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and a bold gorgonzola cheese, all topped off with a splash of local honey to counterbalance the sour notes. This mix may seem out of the ordinary, but it has fast become a staple request among our unique pizza creations.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people adopt plant-based diets, the demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes has seen a noticeable uptick. Where once simple vegetables sufficed, now there are innovative plant-derived proteins that even hardcore carnivores are happy to sink their teeth into.
We now regularly feature toppings such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings enjoy popularity not only among vegetarians but also among those who appreciate their distinct flavors and easier digestion.
3. Chili Peppers from Specific Regions
Those who favor a fiery taste are discovering a fondness for distinct chili peppers from various regions over the ubiquitous crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, peppers like the Middle Eastern Aleppo, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are gaining traction as pizza toppings.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a quartet of these chilies, each adding a distinct spicy profile to the pizza. This option is particularly popular with our clientele who are eager for gastronomic exploration.
4. Seasonal Wild-Crafted Ingredients
The direct-from-nature approach of the farm-to-table movement has now made its way to the pizza menu, with seasonal wild-crafted ingredients growing in popularity. Forest finds like chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms are seasonal favorites.
Apart from mushrooms, we've been playing with wild greens like spring ramps, oceanic plants including dulse and nori, and even pine spruce tips, for a distinctive, aromatic twist. These wild ingredients offer a connection to nature and deliver flavors that can't be replicated under industrial conditions.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Sweet and savory profiles have been elevated through the addition of honey to pizzas, a trend that shows no signs of fading. The year 2023 has witnessed the introduction of various specialty honey drizzles used right before serving to enhance taste experiences.
Options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD are now common in pizzerias nationwide. These peculiar final touches deepen the flavor and transform even simple pizzas into gourmet experiences.
Honourable Mentions
Other toppings that didn't make the top five but are still notable include:
- Cured egg yolks grated over the pizza, resembling fine yellow snow
- Preserved fruits, such as peaches and plums, particularly stone fruits
- Ancient grain toppings, like crisped farro or puffed sorghum, for added crunch
- Gourmet butter dollops, including cultured or herbed compound butters
Whether your preference is for timeless classics or you're the type to pursue daring new pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and enduringly popular dishes. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we pay homage to the classics while also chartering new territories of flavor, with a menu that includes both the iconic Margherita and innovative and modern pies.
Have any of these contemporary toppings caught your eye? Maybe you have a unique personal favorite you would like to see on our menu. Share your thoughts in the comments, or mention them during your next visit!