As pizzaiolos continually innovate, each year welcomes new favorites in the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no different. At HushWaterMeadow, tracking what excites the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. Presented here is a list of this year's most buzzworthy and beloved pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in digestive wellness has spilled over into the pizza industry, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected fan-favorite topping in current times. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a delightful zest that meshes well with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These toppings deliver gut-friendly probiotics while adding an innovative textural twist to the classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a testament to this trend, boasting our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and sharp gorgonzola cheese, all harmonized with a drizzle of locally-sourced honey to counteract the sourness. The combination may seem atypical, but it's rapidly becoming one of our top specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The trend of plant-forward diets isn't losing steam, with a noticeable uptick in the popularity of meat-free alternative toppings on pizzas. Alongside classic veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins are offering varieties that even the most ardent meat eaters appreciate.
We now offer toppings such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, tangy jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea-protein-based pepperoni as staple menu items. These alternatives have won fans not just among vegetarians but also among those who enjoy their distinctive tastes and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Lovers of spice, celebrate! In 2023, pizza fans have been gravitating towards specific chili types over the usual red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to hold their ground, but now we're also seeing chilies like the Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang spread on pizzas.
Our World of Heat pizza lets customers embark on a spicy voyage with four different chilies, each adding its own distinct taste to particular sections of the pizza, catering to those with a penchant for heat.
4. Seasonal Foraged Fare
Nature-to-pizza is the new farm-to-table, courtesy of the escalated interest in seasonal foraged foods. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up on our pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we're incorporating ingredients like wild ramps (wild leeks), sea greens including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their unique aromatic properties. These natural offerings connect eaters with their environment and offer tastes that cultivated options can't replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to balance sweet and savory has solidified its place beyond just a fleeting fad. Expanding beyond the well-received spicy honey, the year 2023 has seen the rise of assorted honey varieties gracing pizzas with a final drizzle.
Among these new honey flavors are truffle-infused honey, honey with fermented garlic, honey imbued with a hint of mesquite smoke, and even honey infused with CBD. These final drizzles add layers of complexity, turning even the simplest pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
While these toppings didn't quite make the main list, they're still causing a stir:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a luxurious finish
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain sprinkle-ons, like spelt or amaranth seeds for added crunch
- Dollops of boutique butter (especially those with cultured or mixed herbs)
Whether you're a purist who loves timeless classics or a culinary trailblazer eager for unorthodox mixtures, pizza remains one of the planet's most versatile and treasured dishes. At HushWaterMeadow, we celebrate time-honored recipes as well as culinary creativity—that means our menu features everything from the familiar Margherita to avant-garde gourmet pizzas.
Have any of these topping trends graced your pizza recently? Or maybe you have a distinctive topping combo in mind that you'd love to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!