Each year, pizza's culinary landscape gets a fresh batch of trends, and the 2023 scene is bubbling with new tastes. At Crust & Dreamery, keeping track of what tantalizes pizza aficionados worldwide is our specialty. Presenting the top five toppings that are currently all the rage.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As digestive well-being grabs the spotlight, fermented veggies have carved out a niche on the pizza scene. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions lend a vibrant, sour zing that matches perfectly with the creamy textures of cheese and sauces. These pickled delights, abundant in friendly bacteria, are redefining the pizza experience with delightful new textures.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a hit, stacked with our own sauerkraut, house-cultivated kimchi, and rich gorgonzola, all tied together with a sweet drizzle of regional honey. This unexpectedly harmonious mix is soaring in popularity among our signature dishes.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Plant-based diets are on the rise, and the craving for meat-free alternatives on pizza is following suit. Modern plant-protein marvels have gone beyond traditional veggie toppings, winning the hearts of even the staunchest meat devotees.
Options such as plant-derived Italian sausage crumbles, marinaded tempeh, jackfruit crafted into a pulled pork substitute, and pea protein-made pepperoni are now essential additions to our menu. These plant proteins cater not only to vegans but also to guests who covet their distinct flavors and gentle digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who enjoy spice, the latest craze centers around distinct regional chili varieties, as opposed to the generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain sought-after, while other peppers, like the smoky ñora from Spain, sweet ají amarillo from Peru, and rich Korean gochujang are also sprouting up on pizzas.
Our International Zest pizza offers a sizzling mosaic of four distinct chilies, each lending a signature heat to various sections of the pie—a favorite among those with a taste for fiery flavors.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Fresh foraged finds from nature, like wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake are marking their territory on pizzas during their peak seasons, an offshoot of the locally-sourced food movement.
Our culinary explorations have led to utilizing other wild greens like spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These ingredients deliver an unreplicable freshness, connecting our customers to the wilderness through each flavorful bite.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet honey and savory pizza has proven to be more enduring than a mere fad. 2023 has seen the proliferation of unique honeys, used as the final flourish atop pizzas prior to serving.
From truffle-infused honey and garlicky fermented variations to distinct mesquite honey and innovative CBD-enhanced honey, such drizzles are garnishing an array of pizzas and lifting them into the realm of culinary distinction.
Honorable Mentions
While not making the top slots, these additional toppings are nevertheless creating ripples:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated atop pizzas for a rich umami dusting
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums introducing a tangy twist
- Historical grains, including crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet butter dollops, infused with an array of herbs or from cultured origins
Whether your taste veers towards time-honored classics or leans into the thrill of novel concoctions, pizza remains an enduring and cherished dish. At Crust & Dreamery, respecting classic traditions and fostering new ones go hand in hand—that's why we proudly offer both beloved Margheritas and boundary-pushing specialty pizzas.
Which of these top toppings have you savored? Or perhaps you have a proprietary combination in mind you think we should try out? Share with us in the comments or on your next visit!