As we dive into 2023, the universe of pizza garnishes continues to expand with exciting new trends. At ParticleCanyonAtlas, we keep our pulse on what's delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Let's explore the top pizza toppings that are hitting the spot this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has found its way onto pizza menus, with fermented veggies making a surprising impact. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and tangy pickled onions are infusing pizzas with complex sour flavors that enhance the creamy cheese and hearty sauce. These garnishes aren't only tasty; they also add probiotics and bring intriguing textures to traditional pizza.
Take for instance our Fermentation Festivity pizza, boasting in-house sauerkraut, spicy kimchi, and sharp gorgonzola, all harmonized with a sweet local honey drizzle. Though it may seem unconventional, this mix is swiftly rising in demand among our unique pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The appetite for plant-based diets is only growing, prompting a surge in meat-free toppings for pizza lovers. Beyond typical veggies, plant-based meat substitutes now offer choices that even the most ardent carnivores are enjoying.
We're now regularly topping our pizzas with things like crumbled plant-based sausage, flavorful tempeh, zesty jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These options not only appeal to vegetarians but are chosen for their distinct tastes and digestibility by a wider audience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who seek a spicy kick, 2023 has introduced a taste for specific regional chilis over the standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to be favored, we're also garnishing pizzas with spicy Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, tangy Peruvian aji amarillo, and savory Korean gochujang.
Our Global Heatwave pizza brings together these regional chilies, giving each slice its own distinct spice profile. This fiery culinary tour is increasingly favored by our most adventurous customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The push for local ingredients has evolved to include wild foraged toppings, directly from the forest. Leading this charge are wild mushrooms, with sought-after types such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods gracing the pizza during their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating wild spring onions, sea greens like dulse and nori, and fragrant spruce tips. These authentically wild elements connect our customers to the wilderness and provide irreplicable flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's role in creating a sweet counterpoint to savory notes has become a solidified trend. Expanding from the success of spicy honey, this year has sprung a variety of distinct honeys glazed atop pizzas upon serving.
Pizzas at many locales are now finished with drizzles of aromatic truffle honey, zesty fermented garlic honey, and earthy, smoky mesquite honey. These drizzles introduce complexity to flavor, elevating even the simplest pizza to a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
There are additional toppings which narrowly missed our main list but are still noteworthy:
- Shaved cured egg yolks dusted across the pizza like fine gold
- Preserved fruits such as peaches and plums
- Grains of heirloom varieties for added crunch, like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Touches of handcrafted butter, including cultured or herbed varieties
Regardless if you're a purist who sticks with time-honored classics or a cuisine explorer eager for new flavor explosions, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes globally. At ParticleCanyonAtlas, we balance respect for the past with enthusiasm for new ideas—that's why our menu includes both the iconic Margherita and our trendsetting specialties.
Have these new topping trends tempted your taste buds? Or is there an inventive combination you'd desire to see on our menu? Share in the comments or drop us a suggestion on your next visit!