As the world of pizza continually evolves, 2023 has unfolded a new set of gastronomic trends. At OpenQuarter, we're constantly observing the preferences that captivate pizza aficionados worldwide. Here is our compiled list of the year’s trendy and favored pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Attention towards digestive wellness has spread into pizza kitchens with fermented vegetables emerging as a hit. Adding tangy notes and unique textures, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are combining well with the creamy cheese and sauces while offering the bonus of probiotics.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie, adorned with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, topped with locally sourced honey to offset the sharpness, may be an unconventional blend, but it’s fast turning into a highly sought-after item.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in meatless diets has translated into an increased demand for pizzas ladened with innovative alternatives to meat. Beyond ordinary veggies, emergent plant-based proteins are satisfying even the staunchest carnivores.
Options like crumbled vegan sausages, spiced tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea protein slices resembling pepperoni have secured their spots on our menu. These toppings draw the favor of not just vegans, but other customers due to their unique taste and lighter feel post-meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek spiciness, the year has welcomed enthusiasts to distinct regional chili varieties rather than the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies retain their previous years' fame, we’re also welcoming Aleppo pepper, smoked ñora chilies, fruity aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
Embark on a peppery voyage with our Spice Trail pizza that marries a quartet of different chilies, gracing each slice with its own flavor profile, a hit amongst our more daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started as farm-to-table has now stretched to forest-to-pizza with foraged ingredients growing in appeal. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods available during their seasons.
We’re also utilizing forest finds like wild ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive scent. These natural elements introduce customers to untamed flavors that are unavailable in farmed products.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The union of sweet and savory flavors via honey has securely landed beyond fad territory. Specialty honey versions have burgeoned in 2023, being drizzled atop pizzas before serving for an added depth of flavor.
From truffle to fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and even varieties infused with CBD, these honeys are enhancing the culinary experience, lifting simple pizzas to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
Other notable toppings that are gaining recognition though haven’t made our major list include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza like delicate flakes
- Soured fruits, in particular stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grains for crunch, like crispy farro or toasted sorghum
- Specialty butter dollops, including cultured or herb-infused varieties
Whether your palate yearns for the timeless or thrills in trying inventive mixtures, pizza remains an enduring and versatile delight. At OpenQuarter, we respect the classics while welcoming new fusions—that’s the reason our menu features both ageless Margheritas and innovative specialty creations.
Have these trendy toppings passed your taste test, or do you have an eclectic favorite you’d love to see us introduce? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!