Each year introduces fresh gastronomic fads in the realm of pizza, and 2023 has brought its own set of trends. At Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, keeping tabs on the global pizza palate is part of our commitment. We present to you the curated list of top pizza garnishes that have captivated pizza aficionados this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health's growing importance has spilled over into the pizza industry, with fermented veggies emerging as the year’s surprise favorite. Kimchi, pickled sauerkraut, and marinated onions are dishing out layers of tart flavors that mesh well with the traditional cheeses and sauces. These fermented garnishes not only offer a boost of probiotics but also add a new textural variety to the age-old pie.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza at our kitchen stars homemade sauerkraut, crafted kimchi, and gorgonzola, crowned with a sweet drizzle of native honey to offset the sour notes. This unconventional combo has swiftly gained a following, becoming one of the pizzeria's most sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum for plant-based diets hasn't slowed, boosting the popularity of pizzas decked with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond mere veggies, the introduction of plant-based protein innovations has provided options that even staunch carnivores can enjoy.
Options like plant-based crumbles resembling Italian sausage, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for “pulled pork,” and pea protein crafted to mimic “pepperoni” are now stable fixtures on our menu. These proteins cater not just to vegetarians but to a broader audience due to their distinct flavors and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spicy fare are celebrating the adoption of specific regional chili types over generic red pepper flakes in 2023. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, we're also noticing the inclusion of Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, Peruvian aji amarillo with its fruity kick, and Korean gochujang incorporated into pies.
Our Global Heat pizza boasts a quartet of these chilies, each lending a distinct heat profile to the pizza sections. This piquant journey has garnered a fanbase particularly among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection from farm to table has extended into a forest-to-pizza movement, as seen by the surge in popularity for seasonally foraged toppings. Leading this charge are wild mushrooms, with specialties such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms gracing pizzas during their peak seasons.
We've ventured further with early spring ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even fragrant spruce tips for that one-of-a-kind aromatic twist. These wild ingredients offer a liaison with nature and provide elusive flavors that cultivated produce cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in creating a sweet contrast on savory pizzas has found a stable niche rather than being a fleeting fad. Following the trail blazed by hot honey in prior years, 2023 witnesses a variety of specialty honeys adorning pizzas as the finishing touch.
Exquisite variants such as truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are cropping up on menus everywhere. These gourmet drizzles not only add layers of flavor but also lift even the simplest pizza to a fine dining experience.
Honorable Mentions
Some other topping contenders that nearly made the cut but are still causing ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas akin to shavings of gold
- Pickled fruits, with a preference for stone varieties like peaches and plums
- Ancient grains for a crunchy addition, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of artisanal butter, particularly those that are cultured or mixed with herbal infusions
No matter if you're a purist who relishes staple flavors or an innovator eager to explore bold new flavor combinations, pizza remains endlessly adaptable and universally cherished. At Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, we honor timeless classics while forging new culinary paths — our menu offers everything from the archetypal Margherita to trend-setting specialty pizzas.
Have any of these trendsetting garnishes graced your palate, or is there a unique blend you'd wish us to craft? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share with us on your next visit!