As each year unfolds, so do new pizza topping trends, and the year 2023 is no exception. BrightRoot is on the pulse of global pizza topping favorites gaining traction among pizza enthusiasts. We'd like to share with you the list of toppings that have been a hit this year.
1. Cultured Veggies
Gut health is now a concern in the pizza industry, with cultured veggies such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions providing a tangy edge to the staple pizza flavors. These toppings are more than a probiotic boost; they add an exciting texture to pizza.
Our popular Fermentation Fiesta pizza mixes our own sauerkraut with kimchi and gorgonzola cheese, sweetened by a drizzle of local honey to soften the sour taste. It's an unconventional blend yet one of our most demanded specialty pizzas.
2. Non-Meat Protein Options
The trend of plant-based diets is not slowing down, increasing demand for innovative meat substitutes on pizzas. Elevated from just veggies, these plant-based offerings, like vegan sausage crumble, savory tempeh, seasoned jackfruit, and pea-based meat imitations, are now a mainstay on our menu. Not only vegetarians but also those who enjoy distinct tastes and healthier options choose these proteins.
3. Specialty Chilies from Various Regions
For those who crave spiciness, the year has seen pizza lovers turn to specific exotic chili peppers over the standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, now we also find chilies like the aromatic Aleppo peppers, the smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the spicy Korean gochujang adorning our pizzas.
The International Zest pizza introduces an assortment of these peppers across separate sections of the pizza, offering our diners a fiery gastronomic journey that has particularly piqued the interest of the daring ones.
4. Wild, Foraged Edibles
Wild foraged ingredients have become a new vogue as the farm-to-table concept expands. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms like chantarelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear on our menu depending on the season.
We've also been working with wild gathered ramps, sea greens such as dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These wild ingredients not only offer a connection to nature but also flavors that cultivated crops can't match.
5. Unique Honey Infusions
Sweet meets savory with the enduring appeal of honey on pizza. Following the rise of hot honey, we're now embracing a range of distinctive honey infusions like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite-flavored honey, and other gourmet honey varieties that are laced on pizzas before serving.
These drizzles are reinventing even the most traditional pizza combinations into sophisticated culinary creations.
Honorable Mentions
While the top five are clear front-runners, some additional toppings that have almost made the cut and are still worth mentioning include:
- Cured egg yolks, sprinkled over pizza like a fine layer of gold
- Pickled fruits, particularly peaches and plums from the stone fruit family
- Ancient grains such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding crunch
- Bespoke dollops of butter, from cultured to herb-infused varieties
BrightRoot respects pizza's long-standing traditions while also looking forward to novel flavors. That's why our menu proudly offers both ever-popular Margherita and groundbreaking gourmet pies.
Have any of these trendy toppings caught your eye? Perhaps there’s a unique favorite you’d love us to feature? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section or during your next visit!