As each year unfolds, it reveals a new palette of favored tastes in pizza cuisine, and the year 2023 is no different. At HolmQuarry, staying ahead of global pizza flavor trends is our passion. Here's our latest selection of the top pizza toppings that are taking the world by storm currently.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastrointestinal wellness has found its way into the pizza realm with the surprising popularity of fermented vegetables. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with sophisticated tangy tastes that harmoniously blend with the creamy cheese and robust sauce. These probiotic-rich toppings not only offer health benefits but also add a novel textural sensation to the pizza experience.
Our innovative Fermentation Festivity pizza is topped with our in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all tied together with a honey drizzle from local beekeepers, striking a delectable balance with the sour elements. It might strike some as unconventional, yet it’s soaring in popularity as one of our most sought-after pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diet trends has translated into an increased desire for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving beyond typical veggies, the introduction of plant-based protein innovations has been gratifying even the staunchest meat enthusiasts.
Options such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have established their presence on our menu. These proteins are a hit not solely with vegans or vegetarians but with a broad clientele seeking outlandish flavors and a less heavy feeling post-meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who favor spiciness are celebrating the shift towards specific chili types from various regions, moving away from the usual red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite from prior years, Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also gaining popularity on pizzas for their distinctive tastes.
The Global Heatwave pizza, one of our unique creations, offers a blend of four distinct types of chili peppers, each bringing a different flavor profile to each section of the pizza. It's a piquant journey favored by our patrons with a penchant for culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The locavore movement has advanced into the realm of pizza toppings with a growing fondness for foraged ingredients that change with the seasons. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear on pizzas during their growth seasons.
We’ve also dabbled with wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), marine veggies such as dulse and nori, and spruce tips which impart a singular aromatic aspect to our dishes. These wildcrafted ingredients forge a connection to the natural environs while offering a taste experience that farm cultivation cannot replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The harmonious blend of sweetness and savory provided by honey has been firmly recognized as more than a fleeting fancy. Following up on the craze for spicy honey, 2023 has seen an upsurge in specialty honey varieties being drizzled atop pizzas just before they’re enjoyed.
Various flavors like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, and smoky mesquite honey are popping up on menus nationwide. This last enhancement adds a nuanced touch, transforming simple pizzas to fine-dining levels.
Honorable Mentions
A handful of other toppings that are close contenders to our top five but are nonetheless making an impression include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza for a rich umami flavor
- Pickled fruits, notably drupes such as apricots and cherries
- Whole grains for topping, like crunchy spelt or sorghum puffs adding texture
- Gourmet butter dollops (especially flavored with herbs or fermented)
Whether you're inclined to the time-honored varieties or a culinary maverick eager to experiment with avant-garde flavor pairings, pizza remains an infinitely versatile and universally cherished dish. At HolmQuarry, we respect time-honored traditions as much as we embrace new-fangled tastes—that’s you'll see both the classic Margherita and bold specialty pizzas gracing our menu.
Have any of these top trends graced your palate? Or perhaps you have your own unique topping combination you believe we should feature? Drop us a comment below or let us know on your next outing to our establishment!