With each new year, pizza's culinary landscape evolves, and 2023 is no different. At SteadyCursor, keeping an eye on what's capturing the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our priority. We present a collection of this year's top pizza toppings causing a sensation.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has made its mark on pizzerias, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising crowd-pleaser on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing sophisticated, tangy notes that balance well with the creamy base of cheese and tomato. Offering probiotic perks, these toppings also present new textural aspects to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza at our place is a mix of in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, all topped off with a splash of artisan honey, offsetting the acidity. While the pairing may seem atypical, its popularity is sky-rocketing.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets continues, reflected in increased demand for pizzas adorned with inventive vegetarian alternatives. Departing from standard veggie options, cutting-edge plant-based proteins now offer delectable alternatives, winning over even staunch carnivores.
Toppings like faux Italian sausage crumbles, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have earned a permanent spot on our menu. These aren't solely for vegetarians—many customers opt for them due to their distinctive tastes and a lighter feel afterwards.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
The thrill of heat has led pizza lovers to seek out specific regional chili types over the generic red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue their longstanding appeal, we now find Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang gaining pizza prominence.
Our World of Spice pizza delivers a range of regional chilies, each one delivering its own flavor signature to the pizza's various quarters. For those up for a spicy quest, this has been a favored choice.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The journey from the wild to your pizza plate has gained traction with the trend of foraged seasonal items. Leading the way are wild mushrooms, with sought-after types like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing pizzas during their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, our experiments have brought in spring ramps, sea greens such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients offer a direct connection to the wilderness and flavors that can't be replicated in a typical farming setup.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrast of honey's sweetness against savory notes has secured its place well beyond a fleeting trend. Riding on the wave of the previously popular spiced honey, this year we're seeing unique honeys, such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoked mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey, playing the role of a finishing flourish on pizzas.
These honey variations contribute to a rich complexity and transform even the simplest of pizzas into sophisticated gastronomic experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that didn't make the top list but are still making an impact include:
- Preserved egg yolks, grated over pizzas creating a savory snowfall effect
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits like peaches and apricots
- Whole grain garnishes, including crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet spreadable butters (in particular, cultured or herbed compound butters)
No matter if you stick to the classics or are eager to explore innovative flavor pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At SteadyCursor, we revere the classics while also championing culinary creativity—that's why our menu includes both the timeless Margherita and avant-garde specialities.
Have any of these contemporary toppings made it onto your plate? Or perhaps you have a distinctive flavor pairing in mind that you'd like to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!