Each year unveils new taste sensations within the realm of pizza, and 2023 follows suit. At ResourceCommonsField, we're diligently observing the flavors captivating pizza aficionados worldwide. These are our findings on the top sought-after and novel pizza garnishes of the year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Digestive wellness has wormed its way into pizzerias, spawning an unexpected hit with fermented veggies topping our pizzas. Zingy flavors of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are pairing wonderfully with the creamy cheese and hearty sauce. These toppings not only offer digestive health perks in the form of probiotics but also add new textural layers to the classic pie.
Our Fermentation Festivity pie comes crowned with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all tied together with a sweet touch of regional honey to soften the sour notes. While it may sound out of the ordinary, it's swiftly turned into a fan-favorite specialty pizza.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-centric diets gain traction, demand for meat substitute-topped pizzas has surged. Beyond usual veggie toppings, advancements in plant proteins have ushered in alternatives that can win over staunch carnivores.
Toppings like plant-based Italian sausage pieces, spiced tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a pulled pork substitute, and pea protein pepperoni are now staples in our selection. These toppings cater not just to vegetarians but also to customers looking for distinct tastes and a more digestible meal.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Thrill-seekers are in for a treat, as pizza lovers this year are choosing specific chili types over generic crushes of red pepper. While Calabrian chilies still hold their appeal from past years, other varietals like smoky Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, fragrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now spicing up our pizzas.
Our International Heat pizza presents a blend of four unique regional chilies across the pizza, each bringing its own distinctive flavors. It's a fiery world tour that's gained popularity with our more daring patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The concept of farm-to-table has stretched into a new trend of forage-to-pizza, marked by a rising interest in seasonal, wild harvested ingredients. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with species like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing during their season.
We're also incorporating wild foraged greens such as spring ramps, seaweeds like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These items connect customers to the wilderness and offer flavors you can't get from cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrasting flavors of sweet honey on savory pizza have become a fixture beyond a mere fad. Continuing the success of spiced honey, 2023 introduces an assortment of boutique honey versions as a finishing touch to pizzas just before serving.
Exquisite varieties such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are showing up in eateries nationwide. These special drizzles add nuanced tastes, taking even the simplest pizzas to gourmet echelons.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that narrowly missed making our top five but are definitely making an impact include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza to create a velvety dusting
- Pickled fruits, notably stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Ancient grain garnishes, such as toasted farro or puffed sorghum for an added crunch
- Gourmet blobs of butter, like those infused with cultures or mixed with herbs
Whether you're a purist who sticks to conventional tastes or an explorer eager to delve into novel topping combinations, pizza remains an infinitely versatile and universally cherished dish. At ResourceCommonsField, we respect time-honored recipes while also encouraging culinary creativity—that's evident in our menu featuring both the classic Margherita and our avant-garde creations.
Have any of these trendsetting garnishes graced your palate? Or perhaps you harbor a distinctive pairing you'd relish seeing us craft? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!