Each year, the realm of pizza is graced with fresh culinary trends, and this year of 2023 is no different. Here at MellowAtlas, we keep an eye on the evolving tastes of pizza enthusiasts world-wide. Below is our list of the top five tantalizing pizza toppings that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has found its way into your local pizza places, with a surprising charm for fermented vegetable toppings. Characters like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bestowing pizzas with a delightful sharp zestiness that perfectly balances the lavishness of cheeses and sauces. Not only are these elements rich in probiotics, but they also bring novel textures to conventional pizzas.
The standout “Fermentation Festivity” pizza we serve comes topped with in-house created sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a honey sourced locally to sweeten the sour notes. While unusual to some, this pie is fast becoming a signature request among our customers.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-oriented diets hasn’t missed the pizzerias, leading to a noticeable upswing in plant-based proteins as toppings. Moving past the regular veggie options, new developments in plant-based meats are now successfully replicating traditional meaty flavors.
We’ve incorporated items such as plant-inspired crumbles of Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit treated as “pulled pork, and peas transformed into “pepperoni” into our offerings. These aren't solely for those avoiding meat - their distinct flavors and easier digestion are appealing widely across our customer base.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving a spice kick will be pleased to learn that 2023 has welcomed a shift from using nondescript pepper flakes to exploring special chili varieties from different regions. While Calabrian chilies have held onto their fame, we’re now seeing an influx of spices like the Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo with its fruity notes, and Korean gochujang sauce on pizzas.
Our “International Heat” pizza is a mosaic of these four unique chili types, catering to different sections of the pizza for an array of tastes. It's notably popular among those with an appetite for spirited culinary excursions.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started as farm-to-table has expanded to include forest-to-pizza, thanks to the popularity of wild-gathered, seasonal ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, gracing pizzas during their natural growing periods.
We haven't stopped at mushrooms, adding foraged items like wild garlic (ramps), seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to our menu for their distinctive fragrances and flavors that can't be matched by farmed alternatives.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The palette-pleasing contrast newly introduced by sweet honey onto pizza has evolved into an enduring tradition. Expanding from the fondness for spicy honey in past years, 2023 has seen the rise of exotic honey drizzles, applied to pizzas promptly before they're served.
Unique types of honey involving truffle-infused, garlic-fermented, mesquite smoked, and various other specialty honey flavors are being spotted on menus. These final touches add deep complexity, transforming even the simplest pizza into a culinary work of art.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few other toppings not making it into our top five but are nonetheless noteworthy:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over the pizza to create a rich topping
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Various heritage grains, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for an added textural dimension
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially varieties augmented with culture or mixed with herbs
Whether you lean towards time-honored toppings or you're the type to venture into new taste territories, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished foods globally. At MellowAtlas, we celebrate tradition while also embracing novelty – that's why our menu features both the ageless Margherita and avant-garde specialty creations.
What are your thoughts on these topping trends? Do you have a personal favorite mix you'd like to see us introduce? Share with us in the comments or when you pop by next time!