With each new year, the pizza scene is invigorated with fresh epicurean trends, and 2023 is no different. Here at UrbanHaven, we’re keenly observing the flavorful journeys of pizza aficionados worldwide. Take a look at our lineup of top pizza toppings that are currently the rave.
1. Fermented Vegetables
A craze for gut wellness has made fermented veggies a surprising star on pizza menus. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are contributing deep, sour flavors that brilliantly offset the hearty cheese and tomato base. With probiotic perks, these toppings are also introducing unexpected textures to conventional pies.
Try our novel Probiotic Party pizza, presenting in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with locally-sourced honey to temper the sour notes. This mix, while novel, is swiftly becoming a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
Plant-centric diets are on the rise, leading to an increased call for pizzas adorned with inventive non-meat options. Beyond regular veggie assortments, new plant-based protein innovations offer alternatives that even staunch carnivores enjoy.
We now serve toppings such as plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein crafted to resemble pepperoni. These plant proteins are gaining popularity not only among veggie enthusiasts but also with customers looking for tasteful, digestive-friendly options.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Fans of spiciness are celebrating! The year 2023 marks an embrace of distinct chili varieties from various regions over the mundane red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain beloved, other varieties like the smoky Spanish ñora, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and piquant Korean gochujang are topping pizzas too.
Our Spice Trek pizza is a concoction of chilies from across the globe, each lending a unique fiery flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a hit among those who seek a spicy gastronomic quest.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing movement has expanded to include wild, foraged ingredients spawning a new wave of pizzas. For instance, sought-after wild mushrooms, including chanterelles and morels, are cropping up on the menu aligned with their natural harvesting seasons.
We’re also utilizing foraged foods such as springtime ramps, sea greens like dulse, nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These offerings bring our patrons closer to nature with flavors unattainable in cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey drizzles continue to be en vogue for their sweet and savory interplay. Specialty honeys have burgeoned in popularity in 2023, adorning pizzas right before they're served.
Exotic varieties such as truffle-infused honey, aged garlic concoctions, mesquite essence, and other specialty honeys are turning heads in eateries nationwide. A drizzle of these enhances any pizza to an exquisite culinary experience.
Honorable Mentions
Certain other toppings that narrowly missed making our top five, but still deserve a shout-out, include:
- Delicately hand-cured egg yolks gracing pizzas with a shower of golden flakes
- Preserved fruits, notably stone fruits like cherries and apricots
- Artisanal grains providing crunch, such as crispy farro or sorghum pops
- Gourmet butter selections, including cultured or herb-infused varieties
Whether you lean towards classic tastes or enjoy experimental flavor mixes, pizza remains a versatile and universally cherished dish. At UrbanHaven, we honor time-honored recipes and embrace contemporary tastes—that’s why our menu hosts both the timeless Margherita and boundary-pushing creations.
Have any of these newfangled toppings graced your palate? Or perhaps you have an innovative flavor pairing in mind that you’d love for us to try? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you dine with us!