With each new calendar year, pizza aficionados are treated to a set of novel topping trends, and 2023 has ushered in its own set of favorites. At CommunityIndexPortal, our pursuit to identify the flavors captivating die-hard pizza fans never ceases. Here is a list of the top pizza garnishes currently taking the culinary world by storm.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has traversed into the realm of pizza, with fermented veggies emerging as a noteworthy topping this year. Offerings such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions infuse pizzas with their complex, zesty notes that beautifully cut through the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These toppings do more than just add flavor—they bring a host of probiotic advantages while adding novel textures to the pizza experience.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts a generous helping of homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a final drizzle of regional honey to counter the sour notes. It may strike some as an unconventional pairing, yet it's swiftly risen to the top as a sought-after gourmet option.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has not fallen short of the pizza scene, creating a demand for inventive non-meat toppings. These new plant-based protein options, which extend beyond familiar veggie garnishes, have won over even steadfast carnivores.
Assortments including vegan Italian sausage crumbles, herb-seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni now grace our menu. Their defining textures and flavors attract not just the vegetarians but also those seeking a lighter fare.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Lovers of spice are in for a treat, as 2023 observes a departure from the generic red pepper flakes towards distinct regional chili peppers. While Calabrian chilies keep their charm, we're seeing the incorporation of peppers like the aromatic Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a quartet of these assorted chilies, each lending its distinctive taste profile to the four parts of the pizza, proving to be a thrill for our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local sourcing trend has extended into the wild with a mounting interest in seasonally foraged toppings. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, with varieties such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods springing up during their peak seasons.
We're also bringing to the table spring ramps (wild onions), sea botanicals like dulse and nori, alongside the pine-like aroma of spruce tips. These elements not only foster a connection to nature but also provide irreplaceable flavors that can't be grown in agricultural settings.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in creating a delightful balance between sweet and savory persists, transcending the realm of fleeting fads. Expanding on hot honey's well-received debut, the year 2023 has welcomed an assortment of artisan honey varieties used as pizza drizzles just before they are served.
Variations including truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey are cropping up on menus nationwide. These are not mere dressings; they enhance the intricacy of the pizzas, lending a gourmet appeal to otherwise simple combinations.
Honorable Mentions
Although the following toppings did not make our top five, they still deserve an honorary mention for their rising popularity:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a luxurious finish
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain adornments, like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum, enhancing texture
- Dollops of handcrafted butter (including cultured or herbed varieties)
Pizza's timeless appeal lies in its incredible versatility, catering to both those who cherish familiar flavors and those open to unconventional pairings. At CommunityIndexPortal, we revere time-honored methods while also celebrating the new—which is why our menu features both classic Margherita and pioneering gourmet creations.
Have these trending toppings made it to your plate? Or do you have a one-of-a-kind topping combination you'd love to see on our menu? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!