Each new year introduces fresh trends in pizza cuisine, and 2023 is no different. At TerraFrame, keeping tabs on what's delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is part of our mission. We present to you our list of this year's most thrilling and favored pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The spotlight on digestive well-being has shifted towards pizza joints, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Varieties such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions lend a sophisticated sour flavor that pairs well with the creamy nature of cheese and the base sauce. Besides their probiotic advantages, these fermented toppings add a fresh textural aspect to pizza.
Featured on our new Fermentation Festivity pizza is our own sauerkraut, house-cultivated kimchi, and pungent gorgonzola cheese, all melded together with a sweet touch of local honey to offset the sharpness. Although this combination may seem peculiar, it has swiftly gained traction as one of our most popular signature items.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-centered diets gain more followers, the call for pizzas topped with imaginative meat substitutes has soared. Beyond typical vegetable toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based proteins have furnished options that even staunch carnivores approve of.
Alternatives like plant-derived Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have found a home on our menu. These proteins are chosen not only by vegetarians but also by numerous customers for their distinct tastes and ease on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spiciness, take note: pizza devotees in 2023 are favoring distinct regional chili varieties over the usual red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies retain their hold on popularity from the past years, spices like the Mediterranean Aleppo pepper, Spanish smoked ñora chilies, Peruvian fruity aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang paste have begun gracing pizzas.
Our International Fiery Delight pizza offers a selection of four diverse regional chilies, each imparting its own distinct taste to separate sections of the pizza. This creation keeps being a hit amongst our more daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The trend of sourcing directly from the land has evolved into including foraged goods on pizza, a concept that has quickly caught the attention of enthusiasts. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with species such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake appearing throughout their growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we have been incorporating wild foraged ramps, sea greens like dulse and crispy nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients offer a connection to the wilderness and flavors that are unattainable in cultivated forms.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet and savory introduced by honey drizzles has established a firm footing, surpassing the notion of being a fleeting fad. With the rise of artisanal honey varieties in 2023, pizzas are being enhanced with these just before they're served.
Exotic varieties such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-fortified honey have made their way onto pizzeria menus around the country. These drizzles contribute depth and elevate simple pizza varieties to the realm of fine dining.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that have narrowly missed making our main list but still have a notable presence include:
- Preserved egg yolks, delicately grated over pizza to add a luxurious touch
- Marinated fruits, with a focus on stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Heirloom grains offering crunch, including toasted farro or sorghum puffs
- Dots of artisanal butter, specifically those that have been cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether you swear by timeless classics or seek to indulge in daring new flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At TerraFrame, we pay homage to tradition yet readily explore innovation, which is why our menu showcases both the perennial favorite Margherita as well as avant-garde creations.
Ever sampled any of these trending additions to your pizza? Or is there a unique topping you're hoping we introduce? Drop us a comment or tell us when you drop by!