Each new year introduces novel trends in pizza gastronomy, and the year 2023 doesn't disappoint. At CocoaFields, our team is always on the lookout for what excites the palates of pizza aficionados around the planet. Below is our compilation of the top trending pizza toppings that are stirring excitement this year.
1. Fermented Veggies
Attention to gut well-being has extended into the pizza-making scene, as fermented veggies emerge as an unexpected favorite on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing a burst of sour complexity that perfectly complements the creamy texture of cheese and tomato sauce. Not only do these fermented options offer gut-friendly benefits, but they also add thrilling new textures to the classic pizza base.
Our exclusive Fermentation Fiesta pizza is topped with our in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and creamy gorgonzola, with a touch of local honey to counterbalance the sourness. Though it may sound unorthodox, this pizza is swiftly climbing the ranks as one of our most sought-after creations.
2. Plant-Based Meat Substitutes
Amid the surge of interest in plant-based diets, the demand for pizzas adorned with ingenious meat substitutes has seen a sizable increase. Moving past standard veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins have presented choices that even staunch carnivores appreciate.
Vegan Italian sausage bits, flavored tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein-based pepperoni are now staples on our menu. These meat alternatives aren't just appealing for vegetarians—they're selected by numerous customers for their distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Specific Chili Flavors
For those who chase the thrill of heat, 2023 is a year to celebrate, with pizza lovers favoring distinct chili peppers over ordinary crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies remain a beloved choice, we are also seeing a rise in distinct peppers like the Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang across the pizza landscape.
Featuring our Global Spice pizza, we deliver an assortment of four unique chilies from around the world, with each one adding its own flavor to a different quarter of the pizza. It's a fiery journey that has particularly captivated our bold and adventurous clientele.
4. Wildly Foraged Add-Ons
With the evolution from farm-to-table to the forest-to-pizza, there has been a rising appeal for wild, foraged garnishes. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with varieties such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing pizzas in their peak seasons.
Apart from mushrooms, we've played with wild ramps, oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips. These elements bring a connection to nature and impart tastes that are not possible to cultivate in a commercial setting.
5. Exquisite Honey Infusions
The interplay of savory and sweet achieved by honey has proven to be a lasting trend. Advancing upon the popular spicy honey, the current year has introduced a variety of specialized honey flavors used as a garnish on pizzas just before they're served.
Choices such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD are gaining popularity on menus nationwide. Applying these unique honey options as a final touch adds a layer of sophistication and can transform even the simplest pizza blends into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings didn't make our top list but are still creating a buzz include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over pizza like a shower of yellow
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain garnishes, offering crunch with toasted farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of handcrafted butter, especially those with cultured or mixed herbs
No matter if you're someone who honors the timeless classics or a culinary explorer keen to sample daring new mixtures, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At CocoaFields, we respect the classics while inviting novel cuisines—that's why our menu features both the quintessential Margherita and inventive, boundary-pushing pizzas.
Have any of these newfangled toppings landed on your plate yet? Or perhaps you have a unique personal favorite you’d wish to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!