As tastes evolve annually, the pizza industry isn't far behind, with 2023 unveiling fresh favorites in the realm of pizza embellishments. At LilacPromenade, we keep our finger on the pulse of flavor trends adored by pizza aficionados worldwide. We present the quintet of toppings that are currently taking the pizza scene by storm.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Fermented veggies are gaining unexpected admiration atop pizzas this year, propelled by the health trend favoring gut-friendly foods. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are imparting a potent zesty zest that's a perfect match for the traditional cheese and tomato base. Not only are these toppings rich in probiotics, but they also introduce diverse textural elements to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza includes our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, with a sweet drizzle of local honey to offset the pickled flavors. While it may seem like an unconventional mix at first, this dish is swiftly moving up the ranks to become a top-requested creation.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The shift towards plant-centric diets is soaring, bringing with it a surge in alternative meat toppings for pizzas. Beyond ordinary vegetable toppings, the invention of new plant proteins is offering delectable substitutes that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Toppings like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, braised jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein impersonating pepperoni are now staples on our menu. It's not only vegetarians who are opting for these choices; these proteins offer distinctive tastes and a lighter feeling post-meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
If you have a penchant for spicy foods, this year has brought a welcome trend with enthusiasts favoring specific chili types over the usual crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to be popular, this year we're also seeing the inclusion of the smoky Spanish ñora chili, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang as flavorful pizza add-ons.
The World of Spice pizza introduces a quartet of distinct regional chilies, each lending a different taste sensation to the pizza's sections. It's a fiery gastronomic journey that's catering to the taste of our most daring guests.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The locavore movement's next iteration is the transition from forest bounty to pizza toppings with the rising prominence of foraged seasonal fare. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, featured prominently during their growth seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, ingredients such as seasonal wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips have been incorporated. These natural elements offer a connection to the outdoors and impart unrivaled flavors that farm-cultivated produce can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory with honey has proved to be more than a fleeting fad. Building upon the success of spicy honey in recent years, 2023 has witnessed a burgeoning variety of specialty honeys used as a final flourish on pizzas.
Options like truffle-infused honey, honey fermented with garlic, smoky honey, and infusions with CBD are popping up on restaurant menus, giving each pizza an intricate flavor and elevating even basic toppings to a level of culinary sophistication.
Honorable Mentions
Other contenders that narrowly missed our top-ranking but are still making their mark include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza, resembling a delicate dusting of gold
- Pickled fruits, specifically stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Whole-grained garnishes like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Dollops of specialty butter, especially those that are cultured or mixed with herbs
Whether your preference lies in timeless classics or you're the type to engage in daring flavor experiments, pizza remains among the most versatile and beloved dishes globally. At LilacPromenade, we pay homage to time-honored recipes while also diving into novel culinary experiments—that's the reason our selection includes both the age-old Margherita and avant-garde pies.
Have you sampled any of these trailblazing toppings? Or perhaps you have a one-of-a-kind topping combination in mind that you'd love to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit to us!