As with every year, 2023 has introduced us to new favorites in the pizza topping world. At CampFieldlane, we are diligent in tracking what flavors are gaining popularity with pizza enthusiasts. Here is a curated list of toppings that are currently the rage.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has become a major influence in pizza topping trends, with an unexpected rise in fermented vegetable options. The acidic zest of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offers a sharp contrast to creamy cheese and rich sauces. Besides their gut-friendly attributes, these toppings add a welcome variation in texture to the customary pizza profile.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, with its in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all subtly sweetened with local honey, might seem like an odd mixture, yet it has swiftly moved up to become a top request among our specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain traction, there's been a notable increase in the request for pizzas that include innovative meat substitutes. Beyond classic veggies, the newer plant-based proteins offer a variety that even avid carnivores appreciate.
Options such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, spiced tempeh, pulled pork from marinated jackfruit, and pepperoni from pea protein have become staples in our menu. These proteins appeal to more than just vegetarians, thanks to their distinctive tastes and gentler digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who adore spice, there's good news. The year has welcomed a preference for distinct regional chilies over the common red pepper flakes. Alongside the perpetually favored Calabrian chilies, other varieties such as Aleppo pepper, Spanish smoky ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are starting to feature on pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza is a hit, offering a selection of four different chilies, each lending its unique essence to a quadrant of the pizza, guaranteeing a fiery gastronomic expedition that's been particularly well-received by daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Moving from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza, we now see an increasing trend of seasonal foraged items as pizza toppings. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which are featured during their particular harvest times.
We're also trying out items like wild ramps (wild leeks), seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These bring a connection to nature and flavors that cultivated ingredients can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrasting sweet and savory flavor of honey has proven itself to be enduring rather than a fleeting fashion. Expanding on the trend of hot honey, 2023 has seen an influx of specialty honey like truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and CBD-infused honey being introduced as a final flourish on pizzas.
These special drizzles infuse complexity and can turn even simple pizzas into gourmet offerings.
Honorable Mentions
Certain other toppings that narrowly missed out on our top five but still deserve acknowledgment include:
- Cured egg yolks, which are finely grated over pizzas for a rich flavor enhancement
- Pickled fruits, with an emphasis on stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Heritage grain accents, like crispy farro or popped sorghum, which add crunch
- Plops of artisanal butter, particularly ones that are cultured or combined with herbaceous elements
Pizza remains a quintessential and versatile favorite, whether you're someone who stands by classic tastes or is open to trying inventive new mixes. At CampFieldlane, we respect the traditional while also valuing innovation, which explains why our offerings range from well-loved Margarita to avant-garde specialty pies.
Have you sampled any of these trendy toppings yet? Or do you have a particular unique mix you'd wish to see? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!