Each year introduces new taste sensations in the pizza industry, and 2023 is notably distinctive. At SoftValleyLane, we continuously track the flavors that are captivating pizza aficionados everywhere. Here are the prime toppings currently dominating the scene.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented veggies emerging as a favorite topping this year. Foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are contributing complex tangy notes that balance out the creamy cheeses and sauces. Not only are these toppings good for gut health, thanks to their probiotic qualities, but they also offer an exciting new textural experience to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza is our latest creation featuring our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a sweet drizzle of locally sourced honey. This peculiar blend has rapidly become one of our most sought-after pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more people opt for plant-based diets, the demand for pizzas topped with inventive non-meat options has skyrocketed. Going beyond the standard array of vegetables, progressive plant-based protein choices are mimicking familiar meat textures and flavors.
Expect to find toppings such as plant-based crumbles mimicking Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit treated to taste like pulled pork, and pea protein crafted to resemble pepperoni on our menu. These toppings are chosen by many, not solely vegetarians, for their distinct flavors and the less heavy feeling they provide after eating.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who love a bit of spice, 2023 has been a year for embracing chilies from distinct regions instead of the generic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies are still popular, we now find the likes of Aleppo pepper, the smokiness of Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity kick of Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang being featured on pizzas.
The International Heatwave pizza offers an assortment of four distinctive regional chilies, providing a diverse flavor profile to each quarter of the pie. This has been particularly popular among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Connecting to nature through dining, the forest-to-table movement has given rise to the trend of using foraged ingredients specific to the season on pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that show up during their natural growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we’re introducing diners to wild spring ramps (leeks), sea botanicals like dulse and nori, and even pine-like spruce tips. By using these wild ingredients, we give our customers a taste of the wilderness and flavors that can't be recreated through farming.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to enhance the savory notes of pizza has secured its status as a timeless option. Specialty honey types have exploded in popularity, being drizzled atop pizzas just before they're served.
Expect to indulge in pizzas finished with truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and sweet smoky mesquite honey, each adding a complex layer of taste, updating even the simplest pizza to a more refined level.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings didn't quite make our top five but deserve a mention:
- Dried egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for a vibrant, rich finish
- Quick-pickled fruits, with a focus on orchard varieties like peaches and plums
- Whole grains for a crunchy texture, like crisped farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of specialty butter, including ones enhanced with cultured dairy or herbs
Whether you stick with conventional favorites or you’re eager to venture into novel flavor territories, pizza remains an incredibly versatile and popular choice. At SoftValleyLane, we honor timeless recipes while exploring the new—we offer everything from the classic Margherita to our trend-setting creations.
Are any of these trendy toppings new to you? Or do you have an unusual favorite you'd like to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!