Each year sees the emergence of new favorites in the pizza sphere, and 2023 is certainly no different. At StoneGallery, staying ahead of what entices the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our specialty. Here’s a list of top pizza toppings that have taken the year by storm.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The push for better digestive health has paved its path to pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as this year’s unexpected pizza hit. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are improving the pizza’s flavor profile with their intricate sour notes that flawlessly balance out the creamy cheeses and sauces. Additionally, these toppings aren’t just tasty; they offer probiotic advantages and bring an enthralling textural experience to the classic pizza.
Our “Fermentation Fiesta” pizza, topped with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and spicy gorgonzola, is then delicately drizzled with locally sourced honey to mellow the sourness. It might sound like an eclectic mix, but it’s quickly becoming a fan favorite at StoneGallery.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ongoing popularity of plant-based diets has led to a notable demand surge for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Far from just vegetables, the new era of plant-based proteins includes selections that have won over even the most loyal meat enthusiasts.
Options like meatless Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, jackfruit “pulled pork,” and pea protein “pepperoni” are now staples on our menu. These toppings are embraced not only by vegetarians but also by diners looking for an alternative flavor experience and a meal that’s easier on the digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Chili lovers rejoice! The year 2023 is all about embracing distinct chili varieties from specific regions over the generic crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies have preserved their standing, we’re seeing a rise in the inclusion of spices like the flavorful Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora, tangy Peruvian aji amarillo, and piquant Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
The “Global Heat” pizza at StoneGallery is a mouth-watering mélange of these various chili types, each lending a distinctive taste to portions of the pie. It’s an exotic and spicy food journey favored by our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Wildly harvested ingredients have found their place on pizza, propelled by the foraging trend. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms, with sought-after varieties like chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms gracing pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
Other foraged delights include spring ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and coniferous spruce tips, each offering an unreplicable and fragrant quality. These toppings offer diners a taste of the wilderness while also providing flavors that are elusive in cultivated forms.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet and savory combination achieved with honey has proven to be an enduring hit on pizzas. Expanding on the hot honey trend of past years, 2023 has introduced a plethora of specialty honey varieties used as enhancement drizzles on pizzas before serving.
Flavors such as truffle honey, aged garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even honey infused with CBD are sprouting on pizza menus nationwide. These are not mere toppings but an intricate final flourish that transforms a simple pizza into a gourmet dish.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that narrowly missed our top list but have still been making their presence felt include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza, resembling a dusting of golden flakes
- Pickled fruit pieces, particularly from stone fruit varieties like apricots and plums
- Whole grain crunch, achieved with the likes of crisped farro or popped sorghum
- Tiny dollops of artisanal butter, especially those that have been cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether you're someone who cherishes traditional flavors or a culinary explorer eager for innovation, pizza remains one of the most versatile and crowd-pleasing dishes. At StoneGallery, we honor timeless classics and invite novelty — hence our menu features both the iconic Margherita and trailblazing specialty creations.
Have any of these trendy toppings caught your eye? Or perhaps you have a unique favorite combination you’d like to suggest? Share with us in the comments or when you drop by next time!