The pizza scene is ever-evolving with exciting flavor trends emerging every new year, and 2023 is certainly making a mark. At HarborBluff, we diligently track global preferences to identify which toppings are resonating with pizza aficionados. Below you'll find the most intriguing and in-demand pizza toppings that are currently popular.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As the gut health trend spills into pizzerias, fermented veggies have become an unexpected favorite on pizza menus. Rich cheeses and sauces are perfectly offset by the sharp tastes of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions. These probiotic-rich toppings aren't only health-forward, they also offer a novel textural experience to the conventional pizza ensemble.
Our Probiotic Party pizza is a stellar example, topped with our own sauerkraut and kimchi, as well as gorgonzola cheese, finally complemented with a local honey drizzle that mellows the sourness. This unique blend has rapidly turned into one of our most sought-after gourmet pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-focused diets has influenced a noticeable climb in requests for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Beyond ordinary vegetables, an array of plant-based protein alternatives appeal to both vegetarians and omnivores alike.
On our menu, you'll find plant-derived Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit prepped as pulled pork, and pea-based “pepperoni. These protein choices intrigue many of our patrons with their distinctive tastes and more digestible nature.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who fancy a pizza with a kick are discovering a penchant for specific chilies over generic pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies are still classic favorites, but now we're witnessing a rise in popularity for spices like the mellow Spanish ñora peppers, the fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and the spicy Korean gochujang.
The Around the World in Spice pizza presents a quartet of these exotic peppers, providing a distinct flavor twist to each quarter. It's a hot ticket menu item savored particularly by our more intrepid clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Riding on the farm-to-table wave, the lure of seasonal foraged produce has made its way atop pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake varieties.
We venture further with springtime ramps, oceanic edibles like dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips. These wild finds deliver a connection to nature and offer distinctive flavors not found in farm-raised produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory accomplished with honey has secured its spot as a favorite. Following the trend of hot honey, 2023 has introduced a variety of unique honey types that add a delectable finish to pizzas.
Pizzas at our establishment may feature exquisite truffle honey, zesty fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even CBD honey varieties. These specialty honeys elevate even the simplest pizza to a refined level.
Honorable Mentions
Some other noteworthy toppings that are rising in prominence, though not cracking our top five, include:
- Grated cured egg yolks, creating a luxurious velvet finish
- Acidic pickled fruits, with a distinctive nod to stone fruits such as apricots and nectarines
- Crunchy heritage grains, for instance, crispy spelt or sorghum puffs for added texture
- Dabs of artisan butter, including varieties imbued with culture or mingled with herbs
Whether you lean towards time-honored toppings or are on the lookout for novel flavors, pizza remains infinitely versatile and universally cherished. At HarborBluff, we pay homage to the classics while engaging with new culinary explorations, which is why our menu includes options ranging from the timeless Margherita to forward-thinking gourmet creations.
Are any of these top trendsetters on your list of must-tries? Do you have a special topping combination you'd love for us to feature? Tell us in the comments or during your next visit to our establishment!