The pizza industry always has its finger on the pulse of new taste inclinations, and 2023 isn't any different. At LittleRavine, keeping tabs on global pizza preferences is our thing. We're here to share the pizza toppings that have taken 2023 by storm.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As pizza lovers focus more on digestive health, the unexpected rise of fermented vegetables atop pizzas has been remarkable. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring their zesty magic, balancing out the rich flavors of cheese and tomato sauce. Not only are they gut-friendly with their probiotic qualities, but they also add an enticing new crunchy texture to the pizza experience.
Take, for example, our Fermentation Celebration pizza, topped with our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, alongside gorgonzola cheese, all tied together with a local honey drizzle. It's an unconventional pair that's fast becoming a crowd favorite specialty pie.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Plant-based diets continue to surge, leading to a heightened demand for pizzas adorned with meatless alternatives. Apart from the usual veggies, the advent of plant-based proteins has brought forth options that can even sway staunch carnivores.
Our menu now proudly features choices like plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pepperoni made from pea protein. These proteins are enjoyed not just by vegetarians, but by numerous customers for their distinctive tastes and gentler effect on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice are in for a treat with pizza connoisseurs gradually choosing distinct regional chili types over the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies still enjoy their enduring fame, other varieties such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also sprinkled on top of pizzas for an added kick.
Our Global Heat pizza offers an exploration of four diverse regional chilies, with each lending its distinct heat and flavor profile to different sections of the pizza, becoming a hit among patrons who love to venture into spicy terrains.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Continuing from the farm-to-table trend, we are now experiencing a forage-to-pizza movement with a growing interest in wild, seasonal, and handpicked ingredients. Leading the foraging front are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up on the menu during their peak seasons.
Further embellishing our pizzas are spring ramps (wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and occasionally spruce tips, offering an aromatic twist. These ingredients connect customers with nature's bounty, delivering flavors that cultivated options can't replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's knack for enhancing savory dishes with a touch of sweetness has made it more than a fleeting fancy. Following the vogue of hot honey, 2023 hails the advent of various specialty honeys that grace pizzas just before they’re served.
Options like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey make their way to the tables nationwide. These specialty drizzles add a layer of complexity, transforming simple pies into culinary delights.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings nearly making the top list but nonetheless creating a stir include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas, delivering a velvety richness
- Pickled fruits that add a tangy twist, with stone fruits like peaches and plums leading the pack
- Heritage grain toppings, offering crispy textures to the bite, such as farro or popped sorghum
- Artisanal butter dollops, incorporating cultured and compound herbs for flavor
Whether your preferences lie with the timeless classics or if your palate leans toward the innovative and avant-garde, pizza remains a canvas of infinite culinary adaptability and universal delight. At LittleRavine, we build upon age-old traditions while employing modern twists—that’s why you’ll find both your cherished Margherita and contemporary specialty pies on our menu.
Have any of these trendy toppings graced your palate recently? Or maybe you've got a creative blend you’re eager for us to feature? Drop us a note in the comments or the next occasion you drop by!