As it happens each year, the pizza industry experiences fresh trends, and 2023 has been no different. At TheHumanityProject, we consistently track what's trending among pizza aficionados worldwide. We've curated a list of this year's top pizza toppings gaining popularity.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has marched into pizzerias, with fermented veggies becoming an unexpected favorite topping. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their distinctively complex, tangy tastes that enhance the traditional cheesy and saucy foundation. Offering both probiotic benefits and intriguing textures, these fermented toppings are adjusting classic pizza profiles.
Our Fermentation Festivity pie comes topped with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a drizzle of artisanal honey to soften the sour notes. It's an unconventional blend, yet it's turned into one of the most sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Plant-based diets are increasing in popularity, causing a surge in demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond common vegetable garnishes, cutting-edge plant-based proteins are fulfilling cravings typically reserved for meat.
We now frequently feature Italian sausage made from plants, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni on our menu. These toppings have become favorites not only among vegetarians but for those who favor their distinct tastes and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Pizza enthusiasts who enjoy a fiery kick are excited about the prominent shift to specific chili varieties, moving past the ordinary red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still a hit from previous years, yet now we're seeing the arrival of spices like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on various pizza creations.
The World of Spice pizza offers a mixture of four unique chilies, each lending its distinct taste to sections of the pizza, creating a gastronomic journey that's popular with our more adventurous customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The emphasis on locally sourced food has shifted from the field to the forest, with the increasing presence of seasonally foraged components in pizzas. Leaders in this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing on menus in their respective seasons.
We're also experimenting with foraged items like early spring ramps, ocean greens such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips, bringing an essence of the wild outdoors to our pizzas while offering flavors that are nearly impossible to find in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The harmony of sweet and savory profiles brought by honey has proven to be a lasting infatuation in the pizza realm. Leveraging the former success of spicy honey, the current year has welcomed a variety of artisanal honey executions being drizzled over pizzas just before serving.
Honeys such as truffle-infused, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and CBD-enriched play a role in menus nationwide. These final drizzles add an element of sophistication, enhancing basic pizzas to a deluxe level.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that narrowly missed our top five but are still influencing the pizza scene include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for a rich umami sprinkle
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Whole grain accents, offering crunchy elements such as crispy farro or puffed amaranth
- Gourmet butter spots, especially cultured or mixed herb varieties
No matter if you're someone who cherishes time-honored toppings or one who's eager to explore novel flavor marriages, pizza persists as one of the most versatile and universally cherished dishes. At TheHumanityProject, we hold onto tradition and simultaneously welcome novelty—that's the reason you'll discover both the classic Margherita and avant-garde combinations on our menu.
Have any of these contemporary toppings caught your fancy? Or perhaps you have a distinct blend in mind that you'd love to see us craft? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!