The ever-evolving pizza scene is bringing exciting flavors to the forefront in 2023, and StoneGlider remains on the pulse of global pizza preferences. Here is our list of the trendiest and most beloved pizza toppings of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastric wellness has influenced pizza menus, ushering in an era of fermented vegetables on pizzas. The acidic kick from toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions creates a delightful contrast with the creamy cheeses and robust sauces. These toppings offer healthful probiotics as well as a new spin on pizza textures.
Our unique Fermentation Festivity pie combines homemade kimchi, sauerkraut, and bleu cheese, perfected with a sweet honey infusion for a well-rounded flavor profile. This combination may at first seem peculiar, but it has rapidly become a top request among our speciality pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based lifestyles gain traction, there's been an influx of demand for pizzas topped with inventive meat-free options. Beyond ordinary veggies, there's been an introduction of faux meats that has captured the affection of even hardcore carnivores.
Options such as plant-derived crumbled Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit as a substitute for pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices can now be found gracing our menu. These protein alternatives appeal to all, not just vegetarians, for their distinctive taste profiles and lighter feel after consumption.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is the time for those who appreciate a fiery kick on their pizzas to shine, with aficionados favoring particular chilies over common pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to hold onto their popularity, other chilies like the vibrant Aleppo, the smoky ñora from Spain, the fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and the Korean gochujang have also begun to emerge.
Our Global Heatwave pizza treats diners to a globally inspired chili experience, with four unique chilies each lending their distinct taste to a quadrant of the pizza. This has become particularly popular among our daring customers who seek out new flavor experiences.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Taking the farm-to-table concept to new levels, wild, foraged ingredients have found a place on pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, which become a feature during their growth seasons.
Our exploration beyond mushrooms has included wild garlic known as ramps, seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and the addition of spruce tips for their singular scent and essence. These ingredients offer a taste of the wilderness and provide flavors that are beyond the realm of traditional cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's capacity to enhance savory dishes has solidified its place, expanding past its previous trending status. In 2023, varieties of unique honey drizzles have exploded onto the pizza scene as a finishing touch just before serving.
Drizzles such as truffle-infused honey, honey with fermented garlic notes, mesquite-flavored honey, and even CBD-enriched honey are now features at pizzerias across the nation. These varietals infuse additional sophistication, transforming simple pies into culinary masterpieces.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings that are making notable appearances but didn't make the top five include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza for a velvet-like dusting
- Quick pickled fruits, with a particular nod to stone fruit such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additions, including crispy farro or puffed sorghum for an extra crunch
- Artisanal spreads of butter, with a focus on cultured or herb infused varieties
Whether your tastes lean towards perennial classics or you're keen to experiment with new, audacious pizza profiles, pizza maintains its status as one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At StoneGlider, we cherish pizza-making tradition whilst also adopting innovative twists—that's precisely why our menu features the ageless Margherita alongside the latest avant-garde creations.
Have these trending toppings caught your interest, or do you have a particular combination in mind that you'd love to see us incorporate? Share with us in the comments, or tell us about it during your next visit!