As pizza's culinary landscape continues to evolve, 2023 showcases an exciting array of topping trends. At SoftCopperBreeze, we’re dedicated to tracking global preferences to keep pizza aficionados delighted. Below, delve into this year’s prominent pizza topping choices that are gaining traction.
1. Fermented Vegetables
With a collective shift towards digestive wellness, fermented vegetables have emerged as the unexpected stars atop pizzas in 2023. Toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions lend a sophisticated, sour edge that balances the customary richness of cheese and sauce, providing probiotic perks and a novel twist in texture on classic pies.
Witness the culinary fusion of our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, adorned with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all harmonized with a hint of local honey to soften the sour notes. Though unusual, it’s quickly stealing the spotlight as a beloved signature pizza.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-forward diets propels a heightened interest in vegan-friendly pizzas graced with innovative meat substitutes. Gone are the days of solely vegetable toppings; our menu now welcomes meat alternatives like plant-grounded Italian sausage, savory tempeh crumbles, jackfruit styled as “pulled pork,” and pepperoni made from pea protein. These alternatives are celebrated not only by vegetarians but also by customers for their distinctive tastes and digestibility.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those craving heat, 2023 is all about specificity with regional chilies taking precedence over generic pepper flurries. The likes of Calabrian chilies remain on the pedestal, while the likes of Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang have also garnered fans.
Our Spice Voyage pizza lets diners tour world flavors with a quartet of regional chilies, each lending a distinct punch to respective pizza slices. This fiery selection is gaining favor among our most venturesome customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Pizza has broadened its horizons into the wild, thanks to the popularity of foraged seasonal ingredients. The spotlight is on wild mushrooms with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing as seasonal toppings.
But the exploration doesn't stop there. We’ve incorporated foraged delights like wild spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, as well as aromatic spruce tips. These wild ingredients offer unreplicable flavors connecting our customers to nature’s offerings.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of savory and sweet with honey accents proves to be a lasting favorite, with this year witnessing the burgeoning use of specialty honey types. Our pizzas are now embellished with truffle-infused honey, garlic-fermented honey, mesquite-flavored honey, and CBD concoction, each elevating the artisanal appeal of our pies.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that did not quite make the primary list but are stirring interest include:
- Fine shavings of cured egg yolks, sprinkled on as a luxurious topping
- Pickled stone fruits, with favorites such as peaches and plums taking stage
- Heritage grains, from crispy farro to popped sorghum, enhancing texture
- Dollops of handcrafted butter, both cultured and infused with herbs
Whether your tastes are rooted in pizza tradition or inclined towards the adventurous, the universal canvas of pizza continues to captivate. At SoftCopperBreeze, we honor timeless classics as well as embrace the avant-garde, evident in our selection from the perennial Margherita to trailblazing gourmet creations.
Which of these contemporary toppings have you savored? Or perhaps there’s an inventive combo you’re eager for us to experiment with? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit to SoftCopperBreeze!