Each year, pizza chefs globally innovate with new toppings that lure the palates of enthusiasts, and the year 2023 keeps up the momentum. At SavorAtlas, staying ahead of the curve on what's gaining traction with pizza aficionados is our forte. Behold our list of the year's top toppings that are currently all the rage.
1. Pickled Vegetables
Digestive wellness has tossed its way into pizza kitchens, with pickled vegetables emerging as an unexpected topping hit. Kimchi, pickled cabbage, and marinated onions bring a zesty punch that pairs perfectly with the creamy, melted cheese. These pickled delights are not just flavorful, they also serve up probiotic perks, creating a sensory experience that revolutionizes the classic pizza.
Our Gut-Friendly Fiesta pizza is a mixture of our in-house pickled cabbage, kimchi, and blue cheese, crowned with a sweet touch of locally-sourced honey to counteract the sour notes. This unconventional blend has rapidly turned into one of our most sought-after signature creations.
2. Meat Substitutes Based on Plants
As more people adopt a plant-forward diet, we’ve noticed an uptick in plant-based meat alternatives topping our pizzas. Instead of the usual non-meat toppings, a new crop of plant-based imitations has begun to fill the shoes of traditional meats.
Our menu now proudly showcases crumbled plant-based sausage, flavorful tempeh, tropical-flavored jackfruit 'pulled pork', and pea protein 'pepperoni'. These innovative toppings are appealing not only to vegetarians but also to many customers who appreciate their taste profiles and easier digestibility.
3. Distinctive Chili Peppers
Heat enthusiasts can celebrate! This year has broadened the scope of fiery options available on pizzas, with a shift from generic pepper flakes to specific chili varieties. While Calabrian peppers continue to be in high demand, more exotic varieties like Aleppo peppers, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also finding their way onto pizza pies.
Our World of Heat pizza is an assembly of four unique types of chilies, each contributing a special taste sensation to segments of the pizza, presenting a hot and spicy escapade that’s particularly well-liked by our boldest patrons.
4. Wild-Crafted Seasonal Produce
The connection from wild harvesting to pizza-making has grown, due to a surge in popularity for wild, seasonal foraged toppings. Leading the pack are mushrooms foraged from the wild such as chanterelles, morels and hen of the woods, featured prominently during their growing seasons.
Other wilderness ingredients we’re experimenting with include foraged spring ramps (wild onions), oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and the piney zest of spruce tips. These flavors not only forge a bond between our customers and the great outdoors, but bring tastes to the table that cultivated products simply can't match.
5. Unique Honey Variations
Honey's capacity to enhance savory flavors with its sweetness has earned it a lasting place on the pizza landscape. Progressing from the once-trendy spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed a burst of specialized honey varieties used as pizza garnishes.
Exquisite varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and CBD-infused honey have started popping up on pizzerias' menus throughout the country. When drizzled atop a baked pizza, these honeys add a refined complexity that turns even a basic pie into a gourmet affair.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings narrowly missing our top list but yet leaving their mark include:
- Salted egg yolks delicately grated over the pizza, offering a rich umami flavor.
- Tangy marinated stone fruits like peaches and plums adding a fruity zest.
- Grains with a heritage, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum, contributing a crunchy texture.
- Dollops of premium butter, especially those cultured or combined with aromatic herbs for extra flavor.
Whether you’re a purist who sticks to the standard options or a curious explorer eager to try innovative combinations, pizza remains a universally cherished and versatile dish. At SavorAtlas, we pay homage to the classics while pushing the boundaries of creativity, evidenced by our offering of both time-honored Margherita and avant-garde pizzas.
Have any of these trendy toppings caught your fancy? Or perhaps you have an inventive combination you'd like to see on our menu? We'd love to hear from you in the comments or during your next visit to our pizzeria!