As pizza remains a dynamic culinary platform, 2023 has unveiled its fair share of topping trends. At MellowGroove, we actively keep tabs on the flavors captivating the palates of pizza aficionados globally. The following is our curated list of this year's most enticing and sought-after pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The increased awareness of digestive health has propelled fermented vegetables to the forefront in pizza kitchens. Adding a complex, sour zest that contrasts the creamy cheese and sauce are toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions. These fermented garnishes are not only packed with probiotics but also add intriguing new textures to the pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a blue cheese variant, with a final drizzle of local honey to mellow the sharpness. What might seem like an odd pairing is fast becoming a highly sought-after dish in our lineup of specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The traction of plant-based diets has not spared the realm of pizzas, leading to a noticeable spike in the quest for inventive meat substitutes. No longer limited to standard veggies, the advent of plant-based protein has brought forth taste-satisfying alternatives for even staunch meat enthusiasts.
Options like plant-based Italian sausage pieces, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni now have a standing presence on our menu. These aren't exclusively for vegetarians; many patrons select them for their distinctive taste profiles and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor spice, 2023 has been a year of celebration with pizza lovers embracing distinct chili varieties from around the world, moving beyond the generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies have continued their popularity, along with the rise of chilies like smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Global Heat, one of our pizzas, assembles a mix of these diverse regional chilies, assigning a unique spice profile to each quarter. This offering has attracted acclaim particularly from our guests inclined towards culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The ethos of the farm-to-table approach has now extended to encompass forest-foraged components, with wild mushrooms exemplifying this trend. Varieties such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods frequently adorn pizzas during their peak seasons.
Our exploration has not stopped at mushrooms; we've been incorporating ingredients like wild ramps, sea vegetables including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinct aromatic essence. Such ingredients bridge a connection to nature and offer flavors that are unattainable through cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey with savory elements has secured its status as a lasting favorite. Advancing beyond the recent trend of hot honey, the current year has witnessed a surge in unique honey variants used as a final flourish on pizzas.
Diverse types of honey such as truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even a variant infused with CBD are gaining prominence on pizzeria menus, introducing complex layers and elevating simpler pizzas to haute cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings nearly made our top five but are nonetheless making quite the impression:
- Salted egg yolks, delicately grated over pizza to resemble fine golden flakes
- Pickled fruits, with a preference for stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain accents, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Dollops of bespoke butter, particularly those enriched with cultures or mixed with herbs
Whether you adhere to time-honored toppings or enjoy experimental flavor pairings, pizza continues to reign as one of the most versatile and cherished dishes. At MellowGroove, we celebrate the old while embracing the new, which is why you'll find both the classic Margherita and pioneering specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have any of these trending toppings found their way onto your favorite pizzas? Or is there an unconventional combination you're eager for us to introduce? Share your thoughts here in our comments section or during your next visit!