Each year introduces new trends in the pizza realm, and 2023 is no different. At GlobalNetwork, we keep an eye on the flavors that are capturing the hearts of pizza aficionados worldwide. Below is our list of the top pizza toppings that are dominating this year.
1. Pickled Vegetables
The importance of gut health has spilled over into the pizza industry, where pickled vegetables have emerged as an unexpected topping favorite. Kimchi, pickled cabbage, and marinated onions are adding a zesty taste that pairs well with the creamy cheeses and sauces. Besides their probiotic advantages, these pickled delights are introducing a fresh textural twist to the classic pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza we offer includes our own pickled cabbage, kimchi, and blue cheese, topped with a drizzle of local honey to soften the sourness. The fusion may seem atypical, but it has quickly ascended to become one of our most sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Meat Substitutes
As plant-based diets gain more followers, there's been a noticeable upswing in the demand for pizzas decked with inventive meat-free substitutes. Employing a variety of new vegetarian toppings, we're now serving plant-derived versions of Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit-based pulled pork, and pea protein resembling pepperoni. These alternatives aren't exclusively for the vegetarians—they're chosen by many for their distinct tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Distinct Spicy Flavors
Lovers of spice are celebrating as this year has highlighted a preference for particular types of chili peppers over the generic crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies have sustained their previous notoriety, we're also seeing an upswing in desire for Aleppo peppers, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean condiment gochujang as pizza toppings.
Our Spicy World Tour pizza offers a combination of four different chilies, each bringing its own unique spice to the different segments of the pie. It's a fiery escapade that has garnered popularity among our more daring customers.
4. Wild Ingredients
The push for locally sourced food has expanded to include forest-foraged toppings on pizzas. Seasonal wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods are now starring on our pizzas in their peak seasons.
Additionally, we're incorporating wild ramps (wild leeks), various sea plants including dulse and nori, and even spruce tips to impart a distinctive aromatic essence. These naturally gathered ingredients offer a connection to the wilderness and flavors you can't find in farming.
5. Unique Honey Infusions
The enticement of honey's sweet and savory mix has now become a staple contrast in the pizza scene. With the rise of spicy honey varieties, 2023 has embraced an array of unique honey infusions as pizza toppings before serving.
Truffle-infused honey, garlic honey undergoing fermentation, sweet mesquite honey, and CBD-rich honey are all making a splash in pizza kitchens across the nation. These sweet touches bring depth and transform even the most basic pizza into a gourmet culinary experience.
Honorable Mentions
In addition to our top five, other toppings that are still impactful but didn’t quite make the list include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a burst of umami
- Marinated stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, such as toasty farro or crispy sorghum adding crunch
- Slices of rich artisanal butter, featuring cultured or mixed with herbs
No matter if you're someone who cherishes time-honored flavors or someone open to novel and audacious taste profiles, pizza remains a universally loved and infinitely versatile dish. At GlobalNetwork, we respect the classics while also celebrating new ideas—that's why you’ll find both the traditional Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have you experienced any of these trending toppings yet? Or perhaps there's a special combination you'd like to suggest? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!