As each year unfolds, new pizza topping trends emerge, and 2023 follows this flavorful pattern. At LanternPaperco, keeping a pulse on the preferred tastes of pizza aficionados is our specialty. This is our list of the latest and greatest pizza toppings that are taking 2023 by storm.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has brought fermented veggies to the forefront of pizza innovation, delivering a burst of surprising popularity. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring layers of tangy essence, enhancing the creamy cheese and savory sauce, while adding a probiotic punch and novel textures.
Featured on our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and savory gorgonzola cheese are paired, then drizzled with regional honey to smooth out the sharpness. It's an eclectic mix that's fast gaining favor with our customers.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise of plant-based diets has led to a greater demand for pizzas topped with innovative meat substitutes. No longer limited to veggies alone, the emergence of plant-derived proteins is offering satisfying alternatives to traditional meat toppings.
On our menu, you can find toppings like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a substitute for pulled pork, and pea protein-based pepperoni. These toppings are chosen for their distinct tastes and the ease they bring to digestion, appealing to herbivores and omnivores alike.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those craving spice have met their match in 2023 with a trend toward specific chili varieties instead of the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies stay in the limelight, exotic varieties like smoky ñora chilies, fruity aji amarillo, Aleppo pepper, and Korean gochujang are also gaining popularity on pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza at our establishment offers an assortment of these chilies, each adding a unique flavor profile, making it quite popular among our boldest flavor-seekers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Local sourcing has brought forest finds directly onto pizza, with foraged seasonal picks gaining traction. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured prominently in their natural seasons.
Our explorations include wild leeks known as ramps, sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even the distinctive scent of spruce tips. These earthy ingredients offer irreplaceable tastes and connect customers to nature.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Not just a fleeting craze, the sweet and savory synergy of honey has become a staple. 2023 has witnessed the rise of various boutique honeys drizzled over pizzas, adding the final touch before serving.
Options like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enriched honey are now found at eateries nationally. These honeys add depth and sophistication to pizzas, transforming even the simplest combination into a deluxe creation.
Honorable Mentions
While these toppings didn't make our top five, they're still creating ripples in the culinary world:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza, create a cascade of savory flavor
- Acidic fruits in the form of pickles, with stone fruits like peaches and plums offering a tart twist
- Ancient grains for crunch, such as toasted farro or popped sorghum
- Gourmet butter drops, notably cultured or herbed compound varieties
Whether you gravitate towards classic pies or yearn for avant-garde flavor pairings, pizza's adaptability has cemented its place as a global favorite. At LanternPaperco, we blend respect for tradition with a drive for innovation, with a menu featuring both age-old Margheritas and trailblazing creations.
Have you had a chance to try these trendy toppings yet, or perhaps you have a distinctive favorite you'd like to see us include? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!