This year, like every other, has introduced fresh and exciting culinary trends to pizza, and 2023 has seen some unique twists. We at CobbleTrail are always watching the ingredients that capture pizza aficionados' imaginations worldwide. Here you'll find our list of the top toppings that are the talk of the town this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizzerias are now including fermented vegetables to their menus, a testament to the growing concern for gut health. This year, tangy toppings such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are gaining popularity for complementing the classic flavors of cheese and sauce with their complexity. Not only do these fermented options enhance pizzas with probiotic health benefits, but they also introduce a whole new texture experience to the dish.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and a bold gorgonzola cheese, and finished off with sweet local honey, is gaining fast popularity, despite its unconventional taste profile.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The continued rise of plant-based diets has spurred an increase in demand for pizzas that showcase innovative meat substitutes. Moving beyond simple vegetable toppings, we're now offering plant-based protein options that could convert even the most committed carnivores.
Menu additions like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, savory marinated tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are more than just vegetarian options, they're chosen by customers for their distinctive taste and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
This year, those who favor spicier fare are pleased with the trend of using specific regional chilies over generic pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to ride their wave of popularity, other varieties like Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are emerging as pizza toppings.
Our Global Heat pizza is a spicy journey, featuring a selection of four distinct regional chilies on each quadrant, letting customers experience the unique flavor profiles of each one.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of forest-to-pizza is taking root with the recent rise of foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, that appear sporadically in accordance with their growing seasons.
We've also been testing ingredients like early spring wild ramps, various sea vegetables including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for an intriguing aromatic twist. These natural flavors forge a connection between diner and the wilderness, offering tastes that are impossible to find in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in creating a delightful balance between sweet and savory on pizzas has become firmly entrenched, with 2023 seeing a surge in special honey varieties used as a final touch before serving.
Varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are being spotted on pizzeria menus, providing complex notes and transforming even simple pizzas into gourmet offerings.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that didn't make the top five but deserve mention for their impact include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for a rich, umami burst
- Pickled stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Textured grains such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisanal butter, including varieties such as cultured or compound herb butters
No matter if you are someone who holds dear the timeless pizza classics or someone open to exploring avant-garde flavor combinations, pizza remains one of the most dynamic and cherished dishes worldwide. At CobbleTrail, we honor the enduring classics while exploring innovative frontiers—this is evident in our menu that showcases both the quintessential Margherita and pioneering specialty pies.
Have you savored any of these trending toppings? Or maybe you have your own distinctive topping combination that you would love to see on our menu? Share your thoughts below in the comments or during your next visit to our establishment!