Each year, the pizza scene is transformed with new taste sensations, and 2023 is shaping up to be another exciting chapter. At SoftGarden, keeping an eye on the global pulse of pizza aficionados is our specialty. We present to you this year's top five pizza toppings that are dominating the scene.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness is impacting pizza menus, with fermented veggies emerging as a crowd-pleaser. Kimchi, pickled cabbage, and tangy marinated onions are enhancing pizzas with their bold, zesty flavors. These additions are more than just tasty; they offer gut-friendly perks while adding new textural elements to the pizza experience.
The Fermentation Festivity pizza, topped with our own pickled cabbage, house-cultured kimchi, and gorgonzola, and finished with a touch of regional honey, is gaining fans quickly. It may sound unconventional, but it's carving out its niche on our specialty menu.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-centric diets has led to a significant uptick in demand for pizzas dotted with innovative meat substitutes. Rather than settling for ordinary veggies, the invention of plant-derived proteins has attracted even the most ardent carnivores.
We now serve pizza with faux Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and pea protein that mimics pepperoni. These options go far beyond vegetarian preferences, offering distinctive tastes and a feather-light feel in the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who love a bit of spice, the year has seen an embrace of distinct types of regional chilies. While Calabrian peppers remain a favorite from past years, now chilies like Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñoras, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also topping pizzas.
Our International Spice pizza brings you a spicy tour with four types of regional chilies, each lending a unique flavor to different parts of the pizza. This fiery offering is gaining popularity with daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Wild, foraged ingredients are transitioning from forests to pizzas, thanks to their burgeoning popularity. Exotic mushroom types such as chanterelles, morels, and maitake are gracing pizzas according to their seasonal availability.
Expanding our foraging horizon, we're also experimenting with wild ramps, sea greens like dulse and nori, and pine tips for a distinctive aromatic touch. These elements create a taste of the wilderness that can't be matched by farm-grown produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The delightful contrast of savory and sweet honey has now become more than a fleeting fancy. This year has seen a rush of specialty honeys garnishing pizzas. Unique selections include truffle, garlic-infused honey, aromatic mesquite, and honey complemented by CBD.
These honey variations add a refined touch, transforming even basic pizzas into gourmet cuisine.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few other toppings that didn't make the cut for our top five, but still deserve a mention:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shredded to cascade over pizza like a delicate golden topping
- Tangy pickled fruits, in particular stone fruits like apricots and nectarines
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crunchy farro or sorghum puffs, for added texture
- Gourmet butter dollops, especially those made with cultured milk or infused with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who cherishes the timeless classics or an explorer of bold flavor profiles, pizza remains an ever-adaptable and beloved dish internationally. At SoftGarden, our aim is to honor the legacy whilst championing the new—and it's why our menu features everything from the historic Margherita to avant-garde creations.
Have you indulged in any of these trendsetting toppings? Or perhaps you have a unique combo you'd wish to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!