As each new year unfolds, so do the changes in gastronomic preferences within the pizza universe, and the year 2023 has been no different. Here at UniversalPerspectives, we're constantly tracking what's captivating the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. This is our curated list of the top thrilling and in-demand pizza additions that have taken off this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The movement towards digestive health has infiltrated pizza shops, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprise sensation atop pizzas this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bestowing complex, tangy notes that beautifully offset the creamy cheese and robust sauce. These tangy toppings are packed with probiotics and add intriguing new textures to classic pizza profiles.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie pairs house-made sauerkraut with homemade kimchi and gorgonzola, finished with a hint of local honey to counter the zesty flavors. This innovative combination has rapidly climbed to the top of our specialty pizza requests.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-oriented diets has not gone unnoticed in the realm of pizza, evidenced by a booming interest in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Vegetables are no longer the only plant topping option, as advancements in plant-based proteins have created alternatives appealing to staunch carnivores.
Options like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, zesty jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni now grace our pizza offerings. These plant proteins aren't exclusively for plant-eaters; they're selected by many for their distinctive tastes and gentler impact on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice have welcomed the advent of specific regional chilies on pizzas, moving beyond the basic crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies continue to be well-loved, but we now find chilies like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang gracing our pies.
Our Spicy Odyssey pizza marries a quartet of different regional chilies, each lending its distinct flavor to various sections of the pizza. This pie has gained particular favor with our most daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Seasonal foraged ingredients are forging a connection from the wilderness straight to pizzas, a trend stemming from the farm-to-table ethos. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, each appearing in bursts of availability tied to their growing seasons.
Aside from mushrooms, we've been experimenting with wild leeks (ramps), oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These components offer a taste of nature and deliver flavors hardly ever seen in commercial cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The dynamic juxtaposition of honey with savory notes has solidified its role far beyond a fleeting fad. Following the trend of hot honey in the past years, 2023 is witnessing a surge in the variety of unique honey types being drizzled on pizzas right before they're served.
Honeys like truffle-infused, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even CBD-enriched honey are popping up on pizza menus nationwide. These finishing drizzles are adding depth to even the simplest of pizza varieties, lifting them to gourmet levels.
Honorable Mentions
There are also a handful of other toppings that didn't quite make our top five but deserve a nod for their impact on the scene:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza creating a decadent dusting
- Pickled fruits, notably orchard fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding crunch
- Dollops of gourmet butter, versions like cultured or herbed compound butter in particular
Whether you're fond of the age-old favorites or you’re inclined toward novel and experimental flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and widely adored dishes. At UniversalPerspectives, we pay homage to time-honored practices while celebrating culinary creativity—this is evidenced by our menu's inclusion of both the conventional Margherita and avant-garde specialty offerings.
Experienced any of these trendsetting toppings? Or perhaps you have a personal favorite combination you'd want us to consider? Let us hear about it in the comments or during your next visit!