With each new year, we see shifts in the pizza topping landscape, and 2023 has its own unique spin. At MossBrooks, tracking global pizza topping trends is our passion. For your interest, here's our report on this year’s most prevalent and dynamic pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Paying homage to digestive health, fermented vegetables have emerged as a pizza topping favorite this year. Ferments such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a layered zesty flavor that nicely contrasts with the creamy cheeses and sauces. These toppings don't just boost gut health with probiotics; they also add novel textural elements to the traditional pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Jubilee pizza is topped with our own special sauerkraut, kimchi, and a bold gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with artisanal honey to soften the sour notes. This combination might initially seem unconventional, yet it's quickly become a highlight amongst our specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain traction, there's been a noticeable jump in the demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond typical veggies, groundbreaking plant-sourced proteins offer alternatives that appeal to even ardent carnivores.
Items like plant-sourced crumbles mimicking Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, marinaded jackfruit styled as pulled pork, and pea protein-based pepperoni have all become staples on our menu. These protein sources attract a broad audience—not just vegetarians—due to their distinctive tastes and gentler consumption experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor spiciness, 2023 has been a year where aficionados prefer specific types of regional chilies over common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain popular, we're also seeing inclusion of distinctive peppers like smoldering Spanish ñora, the aromatic Aleppo pepper, tangy Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
The World Heat pizza at our establishment combines four unique chilies from around the world, infusing each pizza quarter with distinct flavors. This pizza creates a piquant journey that has garnered favor with our patrons who enjoy culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Echoing the farm-to-table movement, the allure of foraged ingredients has climbed to new heights, with an emphasis on seasonal bounty. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear on pizzas in sync with their growing seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, our kitchen has also been playing with other wild offerings like spring ramps (wild leeks), ocean-sourced greens including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural components link our guests to the wilderness and provide flavors that can't be replicated through farming practices.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Complementing savory flavors with honey has become entrenched as a staple for pizzas. Advancing from the already popular spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed a surge in specialized honey variants being brushed onto pizzas before they're served.
Exquisitely flavored honeys such as truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even honeys infused with CBD have made their way onto menus nationwide. When added to pizzas, these specially crafted honey drizzles add depth and transformed many a basic pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Not quite making our top five but still deserving recognition, a few additional toppings include:
- Salted egg yolks, grated finely across the pizza for a touch of luxury
- Pickled stone fruits like peaches and plums for a tangy twist
- Whole grains like crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding texture
- Gourmet dollops of butter, especially those cultured or blended with herbs
Whether your tastes are more attuned to timeless classics or you're inclined toward unique, daring flavor mixes, pizza remains a highly versatile and universally adored dish. At MossBrooks, we salute time-honored traditions while also promoting culinary creativity—that's why our menu offers both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Which of these top-going toppings have you sampled? Or perhaps you have a signature combination you'd love us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!