Each year introduces new trends in pizza gastronomy, and 2023 has its own set of crowd-pleasers. At MossyGardenPath, we keep a close eye on worldwide pizza aficionados' preferences. Take a look at our list of top pizza toppings that are the talk of the town this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastrointestinal wellness has infiltrated pizza shops, ushering in an unexpected rise of fermented veggies atop pizzas. Tangy delights like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing a fresh, zesty twist to the classic cheesy base, while also offering probiotic perks and a new array of textures to pizza lovers.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza is topped with our very own sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, with a hint of local honey adding sweetness to the tangy flavors. While it may be an unconventional mix, its growing popularity is undeniable.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people lean towards plant-based diets, the request for pizzas with inventive non-meat toppings has soared. Ditching traditional veggies, we now provide savory options like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni, which have become staples on our menu.
These plant-based offerings aren't just for those who shun meat; many patrons pick them for their distinctive tastes and less heavy after-effects.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Chili lovers are celebrating, as pizza enthusiasts are choosing distinct chili types from various regions over plain red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to be revered, alongside Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang now found in pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a spicy tour with four different regional chilies, each imparting its unique flavor, much to the enjoyment of our daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing trend progresses with wild, seasonal foraged toppings now gaining momentum. A frontrunner in this trend is wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms, which now regularly feature on our pizzas during their prime season.
Other forest finds like spring ramps (wild garlic), seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips are also being integrated, delivering an authentic taste of nature.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The harmony of sweet and savory from honey has consistently gained a place beyond fad status. Expanding on the popularity of spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed the rise of various specialty honey types like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and smoky mesquite honey as gourmet finishing drizzles on pizzas.
Honorable Mentions
Notably, there are additional toppings on the cusp of our top-five list, which still deserve a mention for their growing popularity:
- Shaved cured egg yolks, gently grated over pizzas for a rich topping
- Preserved fruits such as peaches and plums, offering a tangy sweet twist
- Ancient grains for a crunchy texture, like crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Clumps of artisan butter, especially flavored kinds like compound herb or cultured butter
Regardless of whether you're a purist or an exponent of bold flavor combinations, pizza remains endlessly customizable and deeply cherished. At MossyGardenPath, we strike a balance between honoring time-tested recipes and pioneering new ones, as reflected by both our classic Margherita and avant-garde pizzas.
Which of these trending toppings have you experienced? Or perhaps you have an innovative combination in mind that you'd love for us to introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments, or on your next visit!