Each new year introduces fresh gastronomic fashions in the realm of pizza, with 2023 being no different. At MellowBerry, we stay abreast with what's captivating the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here is our curated selection of the top pizza toppings creating a buzz this year.
1. Cultured Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has transitioned into the realm of pizza-making, with a surprising surge in cultured vegetables topping pizzas. Kimchi, fermented cabbage, and marinaded onions are lending a new depth of sour notes that harmonize with the creamy cheese and robust sauce. These toppings aren't just flavorful—they contribute probiotics and add new textural elements to the classic pizza experience.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza incorporates our in-house crafted fermented cabbage, kimchi, and blue cheese, topped with a hint of local honey for a touch of sweetness to counteract the acidity. It's an unorthodox mix that's quickly gained popularity among our signature pies.
2. Vegetable-Based Proteins
The tide of plant-based diets rises ever higher, reflected in the burgeoning demand for pizzas adorned with imaginative meat substitutes. Beyond ordinary veggies toppings, advancements in vegetable-based proteins have presented choices that can even seduce staunch carnivores.
Options like Italian sausage made from plants, seasoned soybean cake, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea-based pepperoni have become staples on our list. These protein options interest not only vegetarians but also those seeking distinctive tastes and a less burdensome meal.
3. Specialty Local Chilies
For those chasing a fiery kick, 2023 is the year pizza lovers are selecting specific local chilies over plain red pepper flakes. Calabrian peppers continue their holdover fame, but now there’s a rise in distinct peppers like the meaty Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and fermented Korean gochujang appearing atop pizzas.
Our Worldwide Fiery pizza is a daring blend of four different local chilies, each section offering its distinguished flavor, which has been particularly favored among our more venturesome customers.
4. Wild Seasonal Ingredients
The locavore movement has morphed into wild-to-table with the popularity of seasonally foraged ingredients soaring. Leading this trend, various wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are increasingly found on pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've played with early spring wild onions, oceanic greens including dulse and nori, and even the tips of spruce trees for a distinctively fresh note. These wild ingredients forge a connection to the outdoors, delivering flavors that simply cannot be replicated by farm cultivation.
5. Artisanal Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet with savory, achieved with honey, has proven to be more than merely a fleeting fad. Expanding on the trend of spicy honey, 2023 unveils a realm of specialty honey varieties applied as a final flourish on pizzas.
Honeys such as those infused with truffle, fermented garlic, aromatic mesquite, and CBD enhance the meal's complexity and transform even the simplest of pizzas to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
A selection of other toppings just shy of making our top list but still causing ripples include:
- Salted egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza creating a rich dusting
- Marinated fruits, notably drupes like peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain toppings, providing texture with crispy spelt or burst sorghum
- Boutique butter spots, particularly those of the cultured or infused variety
Whether you're someone who cherishes the time-honored classics or a culinary explorer eager for novel flavors, pizza remains among the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At MellowBerry, we respect the past while looking forward to the future—our menu proudly offers both the age-old Margherita and innovative modern creations.
Have any of these new trends made it to your plate? Or do you have a particular combination in mind that you'd like us to feature? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share them the next time you drop by!