Each year, the pizza industry welcomes innovative culinary movements, and 2023 is no different. At LakeQuarter, we're diligent in tracking the preferences swaying pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Presenting our compilation of this year's trendiest and most sought-after pizza toppings that are currently dominating the scene.
1. Cultured Vegetables
The emphasis on digestive wellness has invaded pizza kitchens, with cultured veggies emerging as the year's surprise stars on pizza menus. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are introducing intricate sour notes that perfectly harmonize with the creamy density of cheese and tomato bases. These cultured garnishes don't just offer gut health benefits, but also add novel textures to classic pizza profiles.
Our Cultured Medley pizza stars in-house fermented sauerkraut, homemade kimchi, and sharp gorgonzola, with a final touch of local honey to soften the piquant edge. While it might appear unconventional, it's swiftly claimed a spot as one of our in-demand signature pizzas.
2. Meatless Proteins
Continuing its upward trajectory, plant-oriented diets have contributed to a surge in meat-free protein toppings on pizzas. Advanced meat substitutes now go beyond the expected vegetable add-ons, offering alternatives that can convert even staunch carnivores.
Choices such as plant-based Italian sausage bits, flavorful tempeh, tropical jackfruit 'pulled pork,' and pea protein 'pepperoni' have found a permanent home in our offerings. These proteins are appealing not only to vegetarians but also to customers looking for distinct tastes and a more digestible option.
3. Local Chili Flavors
For those chasing heat, 2023 has seen aficionados favor specific local chili flavours, moving beyond common crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies stay popular, new varieties like the nutty Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the savory Korean gochujang are now gaining prominence on pizzas.
Our Heatwave Quartet pizza offers a mix of four distinct regional chilies, each imparting their exclusive taste profile to different pizza slices. It's a fiery journey that's been particularly embraced by our clientele open to culinary exploration.
4. Wild Foraged Components
The farm-to-table ethos has morphed into a forest-to-pizza approach with wild foraged elements gathering fanfare. Leading this trend are forest mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and maitake, gracing menus in their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we're utilizing early spring wild garlic, marine greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive aromatic character. These toppings offer a connection to the great outdoors and flavors that cultivated products simply can't match.
5. Diverse Honey Garnishes
There's a longstanding affinity for the contrast of honey's sweetness with savory dishes, and this has become deeply entrenched within the pizza domain. Expanding on the popularity of spicy honey, 2023 introduces a variety of specialty honeys as final embellishments to pizzas.
Options like luxurious truffle honey, aged garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey are now gracing pizzerias nationwide. These drizzles contribute depth and sophistication, transforming even the simplest of pizzas into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
A selection of other toppings that nearly made it to our top list but are still creating buzz includes:
- Cured egg yolks, thinly grated over pizzas offering a rich umami flavor burst
- Preserved fruits, particularly orchard fruits like peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum providing texture
- Fine butter variations (especially cultured or herbed compound butters)
Whether you're an enthusiast for time-honored tastes or someone who enjoys eclectic flavors, pizza continues to be a staple dish that can be tailored to any preference. At LakeQuarter, we pay homage to conventional customs while also adopting novel ideas—that's the reasoning behind offering both timeless Margherita and avant-garde creations on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these revolutionary toppings? Or maybe you have a distinctive blend you'd wish to see us incorporate? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!