Each year, new flavors emerge to transform pizza offerings, and 2023 is no different. At HarborMeadow, we're steadfast in tracking global pizza trends that resonate with pizza aficionados. Below is our list of the top picks for this year’s most thrilling, beloved pizza toppings.
1. Lacto-Fermented Veggies
As digestive health gains focus, lacto-fermented vegetables have become an unexpected favorite atop pizzas. Varieties like kimchi, fermented cabbage, and brined onions bring a sophisticated sour taste that pairs well with the creaminess of cheese and various sauces. Apart from their probiotic qualities, these toppings add new textures that redefine the pizza experience.
The introduction of our Fermentation Fête pizza, sporting in-house sauerkraut, handcrafted kimchi, and robust gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a splash of artisanal honey for a hint of sweetness, is proving to be a sought-after selection in our gourmet range.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
As the pursuit of plant-centric diets intensifies, the demand for plant-based meat substitutes on pizza has rocketed. No longer confined to mundane veggie toppings, the domain of vegetarian proteins now delivers taste alternatives that rival traditional meats.
Options including plant-based crumbles mimicking Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh bites, jackfruit pulled pork marinated to perfection, and pea-based pepperoni have become staples. These ingredients cater not only to vegetarians but to many patrons seeking diverse flavors and a more digestible pizza profile.
3. Specific Chili Types
Those who seek spice have started to favor distinct chilies with unique origins over the common crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies continue to hold their stand, while varieties including the aromatic Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are being featured by spice enthusiasts on their pizzas.
Introducing our International Heat pizza that serves a selection of four world-sourced chilies, with each chili infusing each pizza quarter with its special flavor attribute. It's become particularly popular among our more venturesome clientele.
4. Wild Seasonal Ingredients
The locavore movement has forged into the wild with a continued interest in wild-gathered, season-specific ingredients. Leading the charge are forest mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake, which grace the pizza during their peak seasons.
Not limited to fungi, our menu also features explorations with wild ramps, maritime plants like dulse and nori, and even the piney essence of spruce tip toppings. These foraged delights offer direct connections to nature and flavors that cultivated counterparts cannot match.
5. Gourmet Honey Infusions
Embracing a luscious balance of sweet and savory, honey has solidified its position on pizza menus. Advancing from the successful spicy honey trend, the year 2023 marks the surge of specialty honey drizzles on pizzas prior to service.
Distinctive variations such as truffle, garlic-fermented, smokey mesquite, and CBD-enriched honey have become more visible across pizzerias, bringing a sophisticated touch to pizzas, enhancing even the most straightforward recipes to gourmet quality.
Honorable Mentions
While not making the top tier, several other toppings are causing ripples in the pizza landscape, such as:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas creating a delicacy in every bite
- Marinated fruits, particularly orchard offerings such as apricots and cherries
- Ancient grain garnishes, introducing elements like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum for added texture
- Specialty butter increments (e.g., cultured or blended with garden herbs)
Whether one's palate aligns more with classic renditions or favors the thrill of innovative flavor pairings, the versatility and universal appeal of pizza perpetuate. At HarborMeadow, respect for tradition meets the thrill of modern tastes—that’s why our menu proudly presents both standard Margherita and trailblazing creations.
Have these innovative toppings reached your dinner table yet? Or maybe you have a personal topping blend in mind that you'd want us to consider? Share in the comments or the next time you drop by our location!