As the years change, so do the popular trends in pizza toppings, and the year 2023 is no different. At ClearMeadow, our eyes are always on the toppings that are winning over pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Discover our list of the top pizza toppings that have made a mark this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has found its place in the pizza industry, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising topping choice this year. Rich, tangy additions like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are pairing well with the creamy cheeses and sauces. These toppings not only have probiotic qualities but also bring new textures to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, a new item on our menu, incorporates our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a local honey drizzle for a perfect sweet and sour balance. While it may seem like an unconventional mix, it's quickly turned into a top requested item.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The shift towards plant-based diets continues to influence the pizza scene, with an uptick in the request for pizzas adorned with meat substitutes. These innovative plant-based options go beyond ordinary vegetable toppings and appeal to even the most devoted carnivores.
Our menu now regularly includes plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. Not only vegetarians, but many customers also favor these choices for their distinctive tastes and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who love a bit of spice are celebrating! In 2023, pizza aficionados are choosing specific regional chili peppers over the usual crushed red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chili has kept its popularity, we're also encountering Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang as chosen pizza additives.
Our International Heatwave pizza pairs four different chilies from around the world, with each lending its distinctive spicy note to a quadrant of the pizza. Designed for those with bold tastes, this spicy pizza has been welcomed eagerly.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Continuing from the farm-to-table idea, foraged seasonal ingredients have become a hit on pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which feature prominently during their seasons.
We're also incorporating wild ramps (wild garlic), sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to add a unique scent. These ingredients offer an authentic taste of nature and bring distinct flavors that can't be found in farmed produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in creating a perfect sweet and savory pairing on pizza has proven to be more than a fleeting trend. With the continuing popularity of spicy honey, 2023 has witnessed a surge in specialty honey like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and smoky mesquite honey, transforming even simple pizzas into sophisticated fare.
Honorable Mentions
Though not making it to the top five, here are a few other toppings that are gaining attention:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas akin to a dusting of golden snow
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additives, like crispy farro or popped sorghum, for added crunch
- Specialty butter spoonfuls (like cultured or herbed compound butters)
Whether you firmly stick to classic flavors or you're up for experimenting with innovative topping combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored dishes globally. At ClearMeadow, we value time-honored recipes and inventive creations alike, evidenced by the presence of both the traditional Margherita and our avant-garde pizzas on our menu.
Have any of these modern toppings made it to your plate? Or do you have a distinct topping combination you'd love us to introduce? Let us know in the comments or on your next visit!