Each new year ushers in a fresh wave of pizza culinary trends, and 2023 does not fall short. At TransitCommonsNode, we keep a close eye on the flavors that enthrall pizza aficionados worldwide. In this article, we bring to you a curated list of this year's standout and beloved pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has now found its way to pizza, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected crowd-pleaser. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a complex and zesty taste that balances well with the creamy cheese and sauce. These toppings aren't just tasty; they come with the added benefit of probiotics and introduce a thrilling new textual experience to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza on our menu is loaded with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with local honey to dial down the sourness. This might seem like an unlikely mix, but it's fast becoming one of our most in-demand specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The incline towards plant-based diets hasn' t missed the world of pizza, with a noticeable surge in the request for pizzas garnished with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond typical vegetable toppings, the advancement of plant-based proteins introduces versions that can even win over staunch carnivores.
Our menu now proudly features toppings like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings cater not just to vegetarians but to many of our customers who appreciate their distinct tastes and lighter feel.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who indulge in spicy flavors are finding joy this year, as pizza lovers are gravitating toward specified regional chili varieties over the regular red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, new entries such as the fruity Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, Peru's aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now gracing pizzas with their presence.
The Global Heatwave pizza brings together a mix of four diverging regional chilies, giving each quadrant of the pizza a distinctively fiery flavor. This pizza is a particular hit with our patrons who have a palate for fiery excitement.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has transformed into forest-to-pizza thanks to the growing trend of seasonal foraged ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which are featured during their peak seasons.
Our pizza experiments have also included wild spring ramps, ocean-sourced veggies like dulse and nori, and the addition of spruce tips for a hint of aromatic flavor. Such rare ingredients offer a connection to nature and provide a taste that can't be replicated through cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The balance between sweet and savory brought by honey has become a mainstay beyond a fleeting fad. Capitalizing on the enduring popularity of spicy honey, this year has revealed a burst of specialized honey types that are offered as a final garnish on pizzas.
Varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and even CBD-infused honey are gracing pizzerias nationwide. These unique drizzles add layers of complexity, enhancing even the simplest of pizzas to a refined status.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that didn't make our top five but are still worth mentioning include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a touch of luxury
- Picked fruits, with a notable preference for stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Heritage grain crunch, like crispy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet dollops of butter (such as cultured or herbed compound butters)
No matter if you're set on the classics or eager to explore new and innovative mixes, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At TransitCommonsNode, we pay homage to the classics while also championing novelty—that's why our menu has both the ageless Margherita and forward-thinking specialty pizzas to choose from.
Have these trending toppings made it to your plate? Or do you have an original favorite that you'd want to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!