Each year, pizza sees fresh gastronomic fads, and 2023 is bringing its own distinct flavors to the forefront. At HushHarbor, we’re constantly observing the flavors capturing the hearts of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here is our curated list of the current year's most groundbreaking and adored pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The quest for enhanced gut health has paved its way into the pizza industry, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected fan favorite on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are introducing intricate sour notes that harmonize with the creamy cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings offer probiotic advantages while also bringing novel textures to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, a new addition to our menu, combines in-house sauerkraut and kimchi with gorgonzola cheese, topped with a dash of locally-sourced honey to offset the sourness. Despite its atypical pairing, it has quickly risen to be one of our most sought-after creations.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain more traction, there's been a noticeable increase in the popularity of pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond basic vegetable options, ground-breaking plant-based proteins have been introduced that even die-hard carnivores enjoy.
Alternatives like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have found a permanent spot on our menu. These plant-based choices allure not only vegetarians but also those who prefer their distinct taste and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek a spicy kick, 2023 has seen pizza lovers gravitate towards specific chilies from diverse regions instead of standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have carried their popularity from past years, other varieties such as Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have begun to feature on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza presents an assortment of these chilies, with each type imparting its distinctive flavor to a quadrant of the pizza—a fiery taste journey that's gained favor with our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table trend has evolved to include the concept of forest-to-pizza, with a newfound popularity in foraged seasonal ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, appearing during their peak seasons.
We also play with seasonal offerings such as wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), seaborne greens including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients showcase a connection to nature and impart flavors that can't be found in commercially grown produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's capacity to create a delectable harmony between sweet and savory has proven its staying power beyond a fleeting fad. Following the wave of hot honey in more recent times, 2023 has witnessed an outpouring of specialty honeys enhancing pizzas just before service.
Distinct types such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey are being featured in pizzerias nationwide. These final drizzles contribute a layer of sophistication, transforming simple pizza offerings into fine dining experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that narrowly missed making our top five but are still creating a buzz include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza, offering a regal garnish
- Pickled fruits with an emphasis on varieties like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain garnishes, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding crunch
- Dollops of artisanal butter, notably those that are cultured or infused with herbs
Whether your taste leans towards timeless classics or you're inclined to explore daring new flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the globe's most versatile and cherished dishes. At HushHarbor, we honor age-old traditions while also welcoming culinary creativity—evident in our offering of both the classic Margherita and innovative specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of the toppings trending this year? Or perhaps you have an unconventional favorite topping you'd wish to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!