The pizza scene is annually renewed with fresh gustatory trends, and 2023 is no different. At HarborLumenPark, keeping an eye on the toppings that pizza aficionados worldwide are favoring is what we do best. Here lies a collection of the top pizza toppings that are currently the talk of the town.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With a growing interest in digestive health, an unexpected entry in this year's pizza topping list is fermented vegetables. Kimchi, pickled onions, and sauerkraut are seeing increased use for their multifaceted flavors and probiotic qualities, contrasting with the creamy cheeses and robust sauces found on pizza. Our Fermentation Festivity pizza with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped with local honey, is rapidly becoming a fan favorite, despite its unconventional flavor profile.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has been marked by a corresponding leap in demand for pizzas topped with inventive meat replacements. Apart from the standard veggie options, advancements in meat alternatives like plant-based Italian sausage bits, marinated tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now staples in our kitchen. These substitutes cater not only to vegetarians but also to those seeking distinctive tastes and a less heavy meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those craving spiciness, this year has been all about celebrating specific regional chili peppers in place of the ordinary red pepper flake mix. While Calabrian chilies continue to be a favorite, peppers such as Aleppo, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are starting to embellish our pizzas. Our International Heatwave pizza boasts a quartet of these chilies, offering patrons a taste tour of global spice.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
As the farm-to-table wave grows, foraged seasonal ingredients are the new frontier for pizza toppings. Leading this trend, wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appear on pizzas in their respective growing seasons. We're also innovating with ingredients like wild ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and spruce tips, each connecting the customer to nature and offering unique flavors that aren't available commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory offered by honey drizzles has made a lasting mark, with 2023 observing a surge in specialty honey varieties being used as a final flourish on pizzas. We've seen truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey enhancing the taste palettes of pizzas nationwide, converting simple recipes into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that are making an impact, just shy of making our top list, include:
- Grated cured egg yolks showering over the pizza akin to golden dust
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Grains of heritage, including crispy farro and sorghum for added crunch
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially those enhanced with herbs or cultured methods
Regardless of whether you are someone who sticks to traditional toppings or a pioneer eager to sample novel flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and treasured dishes worldwide. At HarborLumenPark, we respect timeless classics while also exploring the new – evident by the presence of both conventional Margherita and innovative specialty pies on our menu.
Which of these trending toppings have you experienced? Or is there a unique blend you'd love to see us craft? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share them during your next visit!