The pizza world is subject to evolving culinary fashions, and 2023 has introduced new favorites to its repertoire. At UnifiedAccessPoint, we're keen observers of pizza aficionados’ ever-changing preferences. Below is our compilation of the most engaging and sought-after pizza toppings of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive wellness has spread to pizza kitchens, where fermented vegetables have emerged as an unexpected star. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions infuse an intricate sour taste that enhances the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These toppings go beyond taste—they offer probiotics and add new textures to the pizza experience.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza includes a blend of homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a touch of local honey to soften the sourness. It may seem like an odd mix, but it's rapidly gaining fans as one of our most popular specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has led to an escalated interest in pizzas that showcase inventive meat substitutes. Alongside traditional vegetables, advancements in plant-based proteins have given way to new choices that even appeal to staunch carnivores.
Options like plant-based ground Italian sausage, marinated tempeh, jackfruit as a pulled pork substitute, and pea protein-based pepperoni now regularly appear on our menu. These toppings aren't just for the vegan audience—many customers are drawn to them for their distinctive tastes and gentler effects on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who seek spiciness are finding joy in pizza toppings with specific regional chili peppers instead of the generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, there's now a rise in the use of distinct peppers like Aleppo, Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza presents a quartet of these different chilies, each seasoning a quarter of the pizza with a distinct taste. This fiery gustatory journey is a hit particularly among our more intrepid clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The interest in locally-sourced food has expanded from farm-to-table to forage-to-pizza, with foraged seasonal ingredients gaining traction. Leading the way are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods which appear when in season.
We’ve also been incorporating other wild edibles like spring ramps, marine greens including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These elements offer our customers tastes of the wilderness and provide flavors that aren’t available from cultivated sources.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey’s ability to create a delightful juxtaposition of sweet and savory has solidified its place as more than just a fleeting fad. Continuing from the hot honey trend of past years, 2023 has welcomed a variety of unique honey flavors added to pizzas just before serving.
Exotic varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even honey infused with CBD have found their way onto menus. These drizzles lend a final flourish to pizzas, turning simple combinations into sophisticated delights.
Honorable Mentions
While not making the top list, these additional toppings are still impactful:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over pizzas like a fine dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a particular nod to stone fruits like peaches and apricots
- Heritage grains for added crunch, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Drops of artisanal butter, especially those cultured or mixed with garden herbs
Whether you're someone who sticks to time-honored toppings or a daring soul eager to explore unconventional pairings, pizza remains an incredibly versatile and widely beloved dish. At UnifiedAccessPoint, we celebrate classic flavors while also pioneering fresh, avant-garde options, which is why our menu features both the iconic Margherita and innovative creations.
Have any of these trending toppings piqued your interest? Or do you harbor a distinctive favorite that you’d love to see us offer? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or tell us about it on your next visit!