As the calendar turns, the pizza industry witnesses new gastronomic preferences, with 2023 showcasing an assortment of novel pizza garnishes. At LevelExchange, our commitment is to track the evolving palates of pizza connoisseurs worldwide. We're excited to present the vanguard of pizza toppings that are conquering the scene this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The momentum of gut health has circled its way into pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as this year's unexpected pizza hit. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are imparting intricate, zesty flavors that superbly blend with the lushness of cheese and tomato base. Offering probiotic perks and infusing novel textural layers to classic pizzas, these fermented additions are a revelation.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is crowned with our own sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with gorgonzola, and topped off with a swirl of artisan honey to counteract the zesty punch. Although it may appear atypical, it's steadily ascending as a fan favorite among our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets persists, markedly influencing the pizza sphere with an increasing clamor for meat substitute toppings. Surpassing basic garden toppings, the breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins have birthed variants that please even the staunchest carnivores.
We offer plant-generated alternatives like vegan Italian sausage crumbles, flavored tempeh, tropical jackfruit in a 'pulled pork' style, and pea protein pepperoni on our pizzas. These alternative proteins capture the fascination of all, not just the plant-forward eaters, due to their distinct savors and feel-good digestive quality.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
This year, spice enthusiasts are favoring specificity with an uptake in particular chili types over the standard pepper flake mix. While Calabrian chilis are still cherished as they were, other variants like the smoky Spanish ñora chilis, flavorful Aleppo pepper, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and tangy Korean gochujang are being chosen for pizzas.
The Worldly Heatwave pizza is our tribute to spice lovers, showcasing a quartet of distinct regional chilis, each lending its unique taste to the mix. This fiery gastronomic voyage has been a triumph with our most daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has blossomed into forest-to-table as foraged offerings surface on pizza menus. Leading the pack in this arena are wild mushrooms, with sought-after types like chanterelles and morels, and hen of the woods featured prominently when in season.
We're also exploring forest finds like wild ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These wildcrafted ingredients offer a connection to nature and present untamed flavors that can't be found in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey has created a unique niche with its savory-sweet profile on pizzas, with 2023 unveiling a variety of artisanal honeys drizzled atop pizzas just before they're served.
Options such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD have become more prevalent. These nuanced accents are adding sophistication, transforming even the simplest of pies into gourmet delicacies.
Honorable Mentions
A few toppings that didn't quite make our top list but are still leaving a mark include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas presenting a luscious garnish
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Whole grain elements such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for added crunch
- Drops of craft butter, including cultured or compounded with herbs
No matter if you're a pizza purist or someone who relishes experimentation, pizza remains one of the food world's most versatile and cherished dishes. At LevelExchange, we appreciate the classics and celebrate the new, which is why our menu includes time-honored Margherita as well as avant-garde options.
Have you sampled any of the toppings that are trending? Or do you have a distinctive blend you'd like to see us create? Drop your thoughts in the comments or let us know on your next visit!