Every year brings fresh culinary movements to the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At PalustralCommons, we continuously track what captivates pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Here’s our take on the most thrilling and popular toppings making waves this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has found its way onto pies, with fermented vegetables becoming a surprising favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions introduce layered tanginess that complements the richness of cheese and sauce. These fermented toppings offer probiotic benefits and add new texture dimensions to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza showcases house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a touch of local honey to balance the acidity. The flavor combo might seem unusual, yet it’s rapidly becoming one of our most-requested specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based eating continues to rise, we’re seeing greater demand for pizzas featuring inventive meat alternatives. Beyond standard veggie toppings, advances in plant-based proteins bring options that satisfy even devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regulars on our menu. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinctive flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Heat seekers rejoice! In 2023, pizza fans embraced specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza features a medley of four regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to different sections of the pie. It’s a spicy adventure that’s especially popular with our more adventurous diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with rising interest in seasonal foraged ingredients. Wild mushrooms lead this trend, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods during their peak seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve explored spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic note. These ingredients connect diners to the natural world while delivering flavors that can’t be mass-produced.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has firmly established itself as more than a fleeting fad. Building on hot honey’s popularity, 2023 has seen a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza combinations to gourmet status.
Honorable Mentions
A handful of other toppings that narrowly missed our top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, microplaned over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (notably cultured or herb compound butters)
Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the classics or an adventurous eater eager for bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At PalustralCommons, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both classic Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or do you have a unique favorite combination you’d like us to offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you visit!