As each year unfolds, so do new trends in the realm of pizza, with 2023 being no different. Here at HumanityUnleashed, it's our mission to stay abreast of what flavors captivate pizza aficionados worldwide. Allow us to present the roundup of the top topping sensations that have resonated with pizza enthusiasts this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The craze over gut health has traveled to the domain of pizza-making, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising addition to pizzas this year. The presence of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions on pizzas adds an intricate, sour zest that meshes well with the creamy cheese and hearty sauce. These ferments bring probiotic merits along with a new textural play on classic pizza fare.
On our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, we craft our own sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with a bold gorgonzola cheese, all finished off with a local honey drizzle to smooth over the sharpness. This unexpected yet delightful blend is soaring to the top of requested specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With a growing wave of plant-based diet adoption, there's been a notable jump in interest for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Surpassing traditional vegetable toppings are new plant-based protein innovations that even die-hard carnivores find satisfying.
We now regularly prepare plant-based Italian sausage bits, savory tempeh bites, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices. These meat alternatives draw in a crowd not solely for their health benefits, but for their distinct tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who favor spice are in for a treat, as 2023 has seen pizza lovers diversifying their heat sources beyond the common red pepper flakes to embrace specific chilies from different regions. Even though Calabrian chilies continue to hold strong from prior years, we now find Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appearing atop pizzas.
Our Global Spice pizza guarantees a diverse heat experience, sectioning off four distinct regional chilies, each imparting its own characteristic taste, to various sections of the pizza. This is particularly popular among our patrons with daring palates.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has transformed into forest-to-pizza with growing interest in foraged seasonal ingredients. Spearheading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up seasonally in our pizza creations.
We're also incorporating wild spring leeks, ocean-grown greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients draw a connection to nature and offer flavors that cannot be duplicated by traditional farming techniques.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory tastes solidified by honey has made a lasting impression beyond the temporary fad stage. This year has witnessed a surge in the use of diverse specialty honeys as pizza finishes just before serving.
Honeys infused with truffle, fermented garlic, mesquite notes, and even CBD are finding their way onto the top pizza spots nationwide. These drizzles contribute a sophisticated edge, turning even the most basic pizza pairings into refined creations.
Honorable Mentions
Several toppings that didn't quite make our top list but deserve acknowledgment include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated over the pizza for a rich umami flavor
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on orchard picks like peaches and plums
- Ancient grains as a topping, offering crunch through crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dots of artisanal butter, with varieties including cultured or mixed herb butters
Whether one sticks to classic pizza preferences or ventures into the realm of innovative mixes, pizza remains one of the most versatile and enjoyed dishes globally. At HumanityUnleashed, we respect the classics while also welcoming novelty—that's why our menu features the time-honored Margherita alongside trailblazing specialities.
Have you sampled any of these trending toppings, or do you harbor a distinctive topping suggestion for our rotating menu? Share your thoughts with us in the comments or during your next visit!