Each year, the pizza landscape is reshaped with fresh tastes taking the spotlight, and 2023 has its own set of top picks. Here at StoneHorizon, we keep our fingers on the pulse of what pizza aficionados everywhere crave. Allow us to present the top pizza toppings that are the talk of the town.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has made its entrance into the pizza kitchen, with fermented veggies emerging as a hit on pizza menus. Adding a burst of zesty flavor, options like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are pairing perfectly with creamy cheese and robust sauces. Besides their probiotic properties, these toppings are introducing new textures to the classic pizza experience.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza is topped with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a final touch of local honey to soften the sour notes. Despite its unconventional appeal, it’s turning into a fan favorite rather quickly.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-centered diets has not overlooked pizzerias, leading to an upswing in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, new plant-based protein choices are luring even steadfast carnivores.
We've introduced a variety of plant-based meats such as crumbled Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, pulled pork style jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni. These innovative proteins aren't just for the plant-based crowd — they're a hit for their standout tastes and digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 is a spicy year for pizza lovers who are selecting distinguished chili types over the standard crushed red pepper. Varieties like Calabrian chillies, Aleppo pepper, smoked Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are spicing up pies in a big way.
Try our Global Heat pizza which showcases a mix of four distinct regional chilies, each one bringing its own flavor notes to sections of the pie. It’s a heat-filled journey embraced by our patrons looking for a zesty kick.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foragers' finds are now stars on the pizza front, with an array of wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing our creations at their prime season.
We also feature wild ramps, ocean-sourced greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These wildcrafted additions offer a connection to the wilderness and tastes that can't be replicated with cultivated ingredients.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The popularity of honey's sweet with savory note is stronger than ever. Following the rise of spiced honey, this year has unveiled a diversity of specialty honey varieties being drizzled atop pizzas prior to being served.
We're now seeing an array of honeys like truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and CBD-infused options added as a finishing touch to pizzas. These drizzles enhance our pies from familiar favorites to exquisite eatables.
Honorable Mentions
A handful of other toppings that are gaining popularity but didn't make the top five are:
- Cured egg yolks, softly grated over pizzas creating a delicate topping
- Pickled fruits, with a preference for stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Whole grain additions like crispy farro or popped sorghum add intriguing crunch
- Dollops of artisanal butters, like cultured or compound with herbs, for added richness
Whether your palate leans towards classic toppings or is intrigued by novel flavors, pizza remains the ultimate canvas for culinary expression. At StoneHorizon, we merge timeless recipes with new sensations, which means our menu has space for both time-honored Margherita and avant-garde custom pies.
Are any of these trendy toppings on your list to try? Or do you have a distinctive mix you wish to see in our lineup? Share your ideas below or on your next visit!