New pizza trends emerge annually, and 2023 has unveiled novel topping favorites. At FernBrooklane, we keep our finger on the pulse of what's captivating pizza aficionados internationally. We're excited to share this year's hottest and most sought-after pizza toppings.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains attention in the culinary world, fermented veggies have made an unexpected leap onto the pizza scene. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer a tangy twist that complements the creamy flavors of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings bring both probiotic qualities and a fresh textural experience to the classic pizza.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, topped with our signature sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with local honey to contrast the sourness. This unconventional blend is swiftly becoming a top-requested pizza at our establishment.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
With the rise of plant-forward diets, there's been an uptick in the demand for meat substitutes on pizzas. Beyond standard veggies, new plant-based protein innovations have been enough to satisfy even staunch carnivores.
On our menu, you can find toppings like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit that emulates pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings are appealing not just for their unique taste but also for being easier on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those who prefer their pizzas with a side of spice are exploring specific chili varieties, moving away from the generic chili flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to enchant from previous years, but now we also find Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang as top choices.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a quartet of distinct chilies from around the world, each adding its unique spice and flavor to a quadrant of the pizza, perfect for the daring palate.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Directly from the wilderness to your pizza, the foraging trend has flourished, with wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods popping up on menus. These fungi are joined by other natural finds such as wild ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These foraged finds provide a connection to nature along with irreplicable tastes.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet and savory dance of honey on pizza has become more than just a fad. In 2023, we're seeing a surge of exotic honey varieties, such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey, enhancing pizzas right before they are served.
Such distinctive honey drizzles are the perfect final touch that can transform even the simplest pizzas into deluxe culinary creations.
Honorable Mentions
Other unique toppings that are close contenders to our top five include:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over the pizza for a lush topping
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grains for added crunch, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Artisanal butter varieties, like cultured or compounded with herbs, dotted on top
No matter if you're a purist who stands by traditional tastes or a culinary explorer eager for novel flavors, pizza remains a highly versatile and cherished dish. At FernBrooklane, reverence for time-honored recipes is paired with a zeal for innovation, which is why you'll see both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde pizzas on our menu.
Have you sampled any of these contemporary toppings yet? Or do you have a distinctive topping combination in mind that you'd like us to try? Share your thoughts in the comments, or drop by and tell us in person!