As we progress through the year, pizza remains ever-evolving with daring new flavors. At BreadButterFarm, we keep our pulse on what pizza aficionados worldwide are excited about. Presented here is our guide to the top trending pizza toppings of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has found its path to the pizza scene, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising pizza hit for this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are delivering intriguing sour flavors that enhance the classic cheese and sauce blend. Besides being probiotic-rich, these toppings also add an interesting new textural element to the quintessential pizza base.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza is our creation, combining house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, brilliantly balanced with a touch of regional honey for a hint of sweetness. Uncommon, sure, but it's quickly fielding a host of aficionados.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum of plant-based diets has led to an upsurge in toppings that feature innovative meat substitutes. Beyond usual veggie fare, the evolution of plant-based proteins offers alternatives that have meat enthusiasts taking note.
Inclusions such as plant-derived Italian sausage chunks, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit in a pulled-pork style, and pea protein-based pepperoni are now stars on our menu. These options are chosen by many, not just for dietary preferences, but for their distinctive tastes and gentler digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for heat are celebrating as the trend tilts towards nuanced regional chilies over standard red pepper flakes. Calabrian peppers still reign supreme, yet we're also noting a trend towards varieties like smoky Aleppo, Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang sauces on pizzas.
Global Heat is our signature pizza that combines a quartet of distinct regional chilies, each bringing its own flavor profile to the pie, which has been greatly received by our daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table concept has expanded to include woodsy ingredients straight on pizzas with the blooming trend of seasonal foraging. Leading the charge are untamed mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, gracing our pizzas during their peak seasons.
Additionally, we've been working with spring ramps, marine greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a one-of-a-kind flavor infusion. These foraged components offer a unique taste experience that cultivated alternatives cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Sweet paired with savory in the form of honey has anchored itself as a consistent favorite. Propelled by hot honey, the current year has ushered in a surge of special honey types being drizzled on pizzas pre-service.
Our pizza menu includes honey with a hint of truffle, infused with fermented garlic, smoked over mesquite, and specialty honey with infused properties. These final touches add sophistication and transform even the simplest pizza into a gourmet dish.
Honorable Mentions
Some other toppings that didn't quite make our top list but still deserve recognition:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza creating an extravagant dusting
- Pickled fruits, particularly drupes such as cherries and apricots
- Grains with a heritage twist, like toasted farro or puffed sorghum for an added crunch
- Gourmet butter portions, including cultured or mixed with fresh herbs
Whether you're conservative in your pizza choices or someone who delights in experimental tastes, pizza's adaptability continues to endear it to a global audience. Here at BreadButterFarm, we pay homage to time-honored classics while celebrating the new—that's why our menu sports both the traditional Margherita and avant-garde pizzas.
Have any of these progressive toppings caught your fancy? Or maybe you have an innovative combo of your own in mind that you'd love to see us introduce? Do share in the commentary, or bring it up during your next visit!