Every new year ushers in a fresh wave of pizza topping trends, and 2023 is brimming with innovation. At RidgeStoneVale, we are on the pulse of the latest cravings of pizza aficionados everywhere. We present to you our curated list of top pizza toppings that are defining this year's preferences.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizza has embraced the health trend, with fermented vegetables emerging as a surprise star on the pie. Zesty toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions inject complex tang while balancing the creamy cheese and robust sauce. These toppings aren't just tasty—they bring probiotic goodness and introduce a novel textural twist to classic pizzas.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza highlights our very own sauerkraut, kimchi, and rich gorgonzola, all harmonized with a sweet local honey drizzle that counteracts the sour notes. Unconventional it may be, this pizza is fast becoming a frequently ordered favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has not overlooked the pizza scene, with a surge in demand for imaginative meat substitutes. Taking a step up from the usual veggie toppings, new plant-based protein options are now satisfying even the hardcore carnivores.
Options like plant-based crumbled Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, marinated jackfruit akin to pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni-like slices have become mainstays on our menu. These proteins are chosen by customers not only for dietary reasons but also for their distinctive tastes and feeling lighter on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving heat are loving the focus on specific regional chili variants, moving away from the generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain beloved, we’re now noticing an appreciation for chilies like the aromatic Aleppo pepper, the smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our Spice Explorer pizza offers a quartet of diverse regional chilies, each lending an exclusive flavor to different sections of the pie, catering to the taste buds of those seeking a peppery journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has now transitioned into the domain of pizza-making with seasonal foraged items becoming a hit. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with types like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing at their peak seasons.
But it's not just fungi, we are also bringing in wild spring ramps, ocean botanicals such as dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips to our pizzas. These natural components create a connection to the wilderness and impart flavors that aren’t found in cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory brought about by honey has secured its position as more than a fleeting fad. Riding on the success of spicy honey, 2023 welcomes an array of specialty honey varieties that add the final flourish to pizzas right before they’re served.
Tempting the palate now are truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey with its smokiness, and CBD-enhanced honey, all of which elevate basic pizzas to gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that are gaining attention, though not making our top five, include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over the pizza like a dusting of gold
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for added crunch
- High-end butter dabs, like cultured or herb-infused varieties
Regardless of whether you're a purist who stands by timeless toppings or a gastronomic adventurer eager for novel flavors, pizza remains one of the world's most adaptable and cherished dishes. At RidgeStoneVale, we honor time-honored recipes while also embarking on culinary exploration, which is why our selection marries classic favorites like the Margherita with innovative creations.
Have any of these new topping trends made it onto your pizza? Or perhaps you have a distinctive topping pairing in mind that you’d love to see us offer? Drop us a comment or tell us during your next visit!