As pizza continues to evolve, each year introduces fresh gastronomic trends, and 2023 is not an outlier. Here at DawnSettle, keeping tabs on what's captivating the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our forte. Here are the current pizza topping trends that are creating a buzz this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
A surge in interest in digestive wellness has led to an unexpected emergence of fermented vegetables atop pizzas. A variety of pickles, including kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are lending a sophisticated, tangy essence that perfectly enhances the hearty flavors of traditional cheese and sauce. These zesty additions are redefining pizza with their probiotic advantages and novel textural layering.
The inventive Fermentation Fest pie, with its in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, harmonized by a trickle of local bee's honey to offset its sourness, may seem out of the ordinary, yet it's swiftly ascending as one of our most coveted siganture pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has brought about an uptick in the use of imaginative meat substitutes on pizzas. These new toppings go beyond the conventional assortment of plants, offering mouthwatering alternatives that can even appeal to staunch carnivores.
Our menu now proudly showcases a diversity of plant-based proteins such as Italian sausage made from vegetables, well-seasoned tempeh, jackfruit prepared as pulled pork, and pepperoni fashioned from pea protein. Opting for these toppings isn't confined to vegetarians; they have won over our customers with their distinctive tastes and gentle digestion.
3. Local Chili Varieties
For those who favor a bit of spice, 2023 marked the embrace of distinct local chili varieties adding heat to pizzas instead of the ubiquitous red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still a fan favorite, but now we witness a burst of options like the aromatic Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish noras, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang claiming their spots on our pizzas.
Embark on a fiery gastronomic excursion with our Global Heatwave pizza, which artfully blends four distinctive regional chilies, assigning each a quadrant of the pizza for a uniquely flavorful experience. It's become a hit among our more intrepid patrons.
4. Wild Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table dining has now forayed into the realm of pizzas with fresh, wild-harvested ingredients coming into prominence. Leading this trend, a medley of wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods grace our pizzas in accordance with their natural availability.
Exploring further into wild foods, we've also added ingredients like spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and even the aromatic spruce tips. These natural offerings provide an enticing connection to the wilderness and add flavors that cultivated ingredients simply cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to provide a contrast to savory flavors has solidified its role as a pizza garnish, beyond being a fleeting fascination. Following the wake of spicy honey's success, 2023 witnesses an array of gourmet honey types being added just before the pizza is served.
Assorted honey such as truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite as well as CBD-enriched honey are emerging on the culinary scene. These nuanced toppings introduce a delightful complexity and transform standard pizzas into gourmet fare.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that are also earning popularity, despite not making our top five, include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over pizzas for a touch of exquisite zest
- Quick-pickled stone fruits like peaches and plums gain favorable attention
- Ancient grains provide crunchy textures with added toppings like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Butter variations such as cultured or blended with herbs offer a rich burst of flavor
No matter if you're a purist who cherishes the timeless classics or a culinary adventurer eager to explore innovative pairings, pizza's versatility continues to endear it to food lovers globally. At DawnSettle, we celebrate the legacy of the past while welcoming the new—that's why you'll find both time-honored pies like the Margherita and avant-garde specialties gracing our menu.
Are any of these trendy toppings your current favorite, or is there a distinctive flavor combination you're eager to try? Drop us your thoughts in the comments or share them with us on your next visit!