Each year unveils new trends in pizza gastronomy, and 2023 has its own set of popular items. At PineInterval, we keep tabs on the flavors that have captured the culinary imagination of pizza aficionados worldwide. We're excited to present the toppings that are the rage this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastrointestinal wellness has found its place on pizza menus, with fermented veggies emerging as this year's unexpected topping choice. The intricate sour notes of kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are combining with the creamy cheese and savory sauce to offer mouthwatering flavors and probiotic goodness. They also add a new layer of texture to conventional pizza offerings.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and sharp gorgonzola, then lightly drizzled with local honey to temper the sourness. This combo might be unconventional but it's swiftly becoming a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has led to a surge in demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Instead of just garden-variety veggies, the introduction of plant-based proteins has led to toppings that win over staunch carnivores.
We now offer plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein slices akin to pepperoni. These aren't merely for vegetarians; these toppings are chosen for their distinct tastes and digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who enjoy a bit of heat are in for a treat! In 2023, pizza enthusiasts are diving into specific chili varieties from different regions instead of just the usual red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still coveted, but there's also an uptick in the use of Aleppo pepper, Spain's smoky ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a selection of four distinctive regional chilies, each adding a unique spice profile to sections of the pizza. It's become particularly popular amongst our more exploratory customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection from forest to pizza is growing with the increased popularity of foraged ingredients. Leading this movement are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, usually seen when in season.
We also explore wild ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural ingredients offer a taste of the wild and deliver flavors that can't be found in cultivated varieties.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The combination of sweet and savory achieved with honey has become a lasting element on the pizza scene. This year has revealed a variety of specially flavored honeys used as a final garnish on pizzas.
We are seeing a rise in unique honey types such as truffle-infused honey, honey with fermented garlic, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey. These drizzles are lending sophistication and a gourmet touch even to the simplest of pizzas.
Honorable Mentions
There are other toppings that are also gaining attention, despite not making our top five, including:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a touch of luxury
- Brined fruits, particularly stone fruit varieties like peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain accents, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding crunch
- Gourmet butters, like cultured or infused herb butters, dotted on top
Whether your taste leans towards the timeless classics or the adventurous new twists, pizza remains among the most adaptable and cherished dishes worldwide. At PineInterval, we respect the past while wholeheartedly adopting the new, which is why you'll find both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these modern toppings? Or perhaps you have an inventive favorite of your own that you think we should introduce? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!