Each new year introduces novel pizza topping trends, and 2023 has brought its share of exciting additions. At EveningCourt, staying ahead of the global pizza preferences is our speciality, and we've compiled a list of the hottest topping choices for this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health's importance has reached pizza toppings, with fermented vegetables taking the stage in 2023. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are delivering nuanced sour notes which balance the heavy flavors of traditional cheese and sauce. These fermented favorites not only enrich the pizza with probiotics but also bring unique textures to the crust.
Introducing The Ferment Fiesta pie, starring our in-house sauerkraut and kimchi, paired with robust gorgonzola, and a sweet touch of local honey to soften the sour profile. It may seem out of the ordinary, but it's soaring in popularity as a fan-favorite specialty pizza.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets hasn't overlooked pizza, with a noticeable boost in demand for innovative non-meat toppings. Far from conventional veggies, revolutionary plant-based proteins provide satisfying alternatives for even the most hardcore carnivores.
Our menu now showcases pizza adorned with plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, savory tempeh pieces, jackfruit in 'pulled pork' style, and pea protein crafted into 'pepperoni' chunks. These protein choices appeal not only to vegetarians but also to those looking for distinct tastes and a less heavy meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who crave spice are in luck this year, as connoisseurs prefer specific chili varieties from different regions over generic hot pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies keep their revered spot, various others, such as Aleppo pepper, Spanish smoky ñora, Peruvian sweet aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang, have found their way onto pizza toppings.
The Global Heat pizza offers an array of these chilies, each quarter of the pizza laced with a distinct chili to savor. It's the go-to choice for our patrons with a taste for fiery flavors.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraged ingredients are making their way from the wild directly to the pizza stone. Leading this trend, wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, peak during their seasons as a topping choice.
Moreover, we've played with wild spring ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These fresh finds offer a connection to nature and a taste that's unattainable in cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Sweet meets savory in the form of honey drizzles, a trend that is here to stay. Progressing from the recent favorite hot honey, 2023 introduces a plethora of unique honey variations to be drizzled on pizzas right before they're served.
Options including aromatic truffle honey, zesty fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and specialized CBD honey are becoming popular in establishments nationwide. These indulgent drizzles elevate even the simplest pizzas to a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that narrowly missed our list but deserve a mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, delicately grated over the pizza, transforming it with a rich umami flavor
- Pickled fruits, with a preference for stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Heritage grains, such as crunchy farro or sorghum puffs, adding texture
- Artisanal butter splashes, especially those crafted with cultured processes or infused with herbs
No matter if your tastes are rooted in traditional favorites or if you're drawn to innovative flavor profiles, pizza remains a universally adaptable and treasured dish. At EveningCourt, we respect the timeless classics while also exploring new culinary territories, which is why our menu features everything from the iconic Margherita to exploratory specialty pies.
Have any of these contemporary toppings made it to your pizza? Or perhaps there's an inventive combination you'd want to see us introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit to EveningCourt.