Each year introduces exciting new food trends to pizza cuisine, and 2023 is notably full of them. At NotebookHarborWay, staying ahead of what's enticing pizza enthusiasts worldwide is our specialty. In this post, we highlight the top pizza toppings that are the talk of the town this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on probiotic-rich foods has found its way onto pizza with fermented vegetables taking center stage. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with a robust sour flavor that perfectly pairs with cheesy and saucy layers, while also providing healthful probiotic advantages and new textures.
The Fermentation Fest pizza, with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, sweetened with a splash of regional honey, sounds unique. However, it has quickly risen to be a top request among our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As consuming plant-based foods continues to gain traction, there's been an uptick in the request for meat-free toppings. Beyond typical veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins have brought about replacements that even convince committed carnivores.
Toppings like herbivorous Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni are now a staple in our menu. They are chosen not just by vegetarians, but also by clients longing for distinct tastes and a lighter meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Chili connoisseurs will be glad to know that specific regional chili variations are taking precedence over generic pepper flakes this year. Calabrian chilies remain on top, joined by distinctive types like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and gochujang from Korea adorning our pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza offers an assortment of these chilies, each lending a special flavor to different pizza sections, which has particularly resonated with our bolder clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Moving from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza, foraged seasonal toppings have become increasingly popular. Leading the way are different types of wild mushrooms, appearing on pizzas in their specific growing seasons.
We've also added wild ramps, marine greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips, all delivering a taste of nature with unreplicable wild flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The dynamic duo of savory and sweet, especially from honey, has become a staple. Adding on to the beloved hot honey, the year 2023 marks the introduction of a variety of special honey, each type adding complex flavors and elevating simple pizzas to a gourmet level just before serving.
Options like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and CBD honey are making their way onto pizza menus, each bringing its unique twist to the finish.
Honorable Mentions
Toppings that didn't quite make it to our top five but still deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas creating a burst of umami
- Pickled stone fruits, adding a tangy twist to pizzas
- Whole grain garnishes, such as toasted farro or popped sorghum
- Boutique butter dollops, crafted from cultured or compounded herbs
Whether you stick to the timeless classics or are eager to explore daring new flavors, pizza remains a versatile and widely adored dish. At NotebookHarborWay, we honor time-honored recipes while celebrating contemporary innovation, and our menu reflects this ethos with both traditional and contemporary pizzas.
Have any of these trending toppings caught your fancy? Or perhaps you have a special concoction you'd like to suggest? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!