As we dive into this year, the pizza scene continues to evolve with fresh culinary trends captivating the taste preferences of pizza aficionados. At GlobalCommunity, we keep our finger on the pulse of what’s drawing attention in the pizza realm. Here’s our curated list of this year's most innovative and sought-after pizza toppings that have taken the spotlight.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Incorporating a health-conscious twist, fermented vegetables have emerged as this year's unexpected pizza topping of choice. Adding a complex zest, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions enhance the traditional cheese and sauce with their tangy profiles. Not only are these toppings rich in probiotics, but they also introduce a novel textural element to conventional pizzas.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie includes our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all tied together with a dash of local honey to counter the sourness. It may seem like a peculiar blend, but it’s rapidly gaining favor as one of our most popular specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum of plant-based diets hasn’t slowed, with a marked increase in the popularity of pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Aside from standard veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins have introduced new choices that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Items such as plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, jackfruit “pulled pork”, and pea-based “pepperoni” have found a regular spot on our menu. These protein options are attracting not just vegetarians but also customers who enjoy their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor the fiery side of flavor, 2023 has welcomed a preference for distinct regional chili types over the usual red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies stay favored from the past, variations like Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and Korean gochujang are springing up on pizzas.
Our Worldly Spice pizza presents a selection of four different regional chilies, with each one contributing its unique flavor characteristics to distinct portions of the pie. It's a peppery journey that especially resonates with our daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Seasonal foraged ingredients mark the natural evolution of the farm-to-table concept in the pizza industry. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen-of-the-woods that appear during their respective seasons.
We've also ventured into using spring ramps, coastal greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their singular fragrant quality. These wild harvests connect patrons to the environment and offer flavors that cultivated products can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The juxtaposition of sweet and savory brought by honey drizzles has become a staple, transcending its penchant to be merely fleeting. As we witness in 2023, there’s been an influx of special honey varieties being applied to pizzas just before they are brought to the table.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey are each taking the stage, adding a sophisticated finish to common pizza recipes and lifting them to a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Additional toppings that barely missed making it to our top five list but are nonetheless creating a buzz include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a luxurious garnish
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain additions, offering crunch with crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Gourmet spreads of butter, particularly those that are cultured or blended with herbs
Whether you lean towards the time-honored classics or crave the thrill of novel flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. Here at GlobalCommunity, we hold the heritage in high regard while also leaning into modern creativity—that’s why our offerings range from the quintessential Margherita to trailblazing specialty pies.
Have you sampled any of these trendsetting toppings? Or perhaps you have an innovative topping combination in mind that you’d love to see on our menu? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share them on your next visit!