This year's pizza landscape is infused with new flavor trends, and 2023 is no different. At GarlicGingerFit, keeping tabs on what excites pizza aficionados worldwide is part of our mission. Here is our curated list of the most buzzworthy and beloved pizza toppings of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Interest in digestive health has reached pizza lovers, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprise favorite for topping pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending complex, tangy flavors that play well with traditional cheese and tomato sauce. Besides their probiotic qualities, these toppings add new layers of texture to the pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, featuring our house-prepared sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with gorgonzola cheese and a honey drizzle, is quickly becoming a sought-after option, despite its unconventional profile.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has naturally extended to pizza, with a notable increase in meat substitute toppings. Besides the usual veggies, the advent of plant-based proteins has brought forth alternatives that appeal even to staunch carnivores.
Our menu now includes Italian sausage-style crumbles made from plants, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit treated to mimic pulled pork, and pepperoni fashioned from pea protein. These aren't exclusively for vegans; many patrons go for them due to their distinctive flavors and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who love a bit of spice on their pizza are now turning to specific chili types over the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have stayed popular, other varieties like smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are making their mark.
The Global Heat pizza, with its assortment of four distinct regional chilies allocated to different sections, offers a fiery taste tour that has become a hit with our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection from forests to pizza is stronger than ever, thanks to the rising trend of using seasonally foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms, specifically chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, have been at the forefront, gracing pizzas during their peak seasons.
We've also been incorporating wild ramps, coastal greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These elements not only bring unique flavors that can't be farm-raised but also provide a connection to the natural environment.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory brought by honey has become a staple, with a surge in specialty honey types used as a final touch on pizzas this year.
Our offerings have been enhanced with truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD, adding depth and turning simple pizzas into luxurious treats.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that have stirred interest though not making the top five include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shredded over the pizza like golden snowflakes
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Heritage grain selections, like crispy farro or puffed sorghum, for added crunch
- Spoonfuls of artisanal butter, especially those cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether your taste aligns with timeless classics or leans towards bold new concoctions, pizza remains an infinitely customizable and universally adored dish. At GarlicGingerFit, we respect traditions while also pushing the boundaries of creativity, which is why both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas find a place on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these top trending toppings? Or perhaps you have your own favorite innovative pairings you'd like us to consider? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!