Every year, the realm of pizza garnishes expands with new, exciting trends, and 2023 is no different. At CrispBiscuitBar, keeping tabs on the flavors that captivate pizza aficionados worldwide is our specialty. Here's a list of the top pizza toppings currently dominating this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As more emphasis is placed on digestive health, fermented veggies have surged in popularity on pizza menus. Items such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a sophisticated, zesty taste that pairs beautifully with the creamy layers of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings not only offer probiotic health benefits but also inject intriguing new textures into age-old pizza recipes.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pie is crowned with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and a rich gorgonzola cheese and finished off with a drizzle of artisanal honey to temper the zestiness. Although it may sound out of the ordinary, it's quickly becoming one of our top requested specialties.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As more consumers opt for plant-based diets, the call for pizzas decked with inventive meat substitutes has surged. Moving beyond the usual veggies, novel plant-based protein alternatives are now satisfying even staunch carnivores.
On our menu, you'll find innovative items like plant-based crumbles mimicking Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit serving as pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These proteins are designed to appeal not only to vegetarians but also to those who enjoy distinctive flavors and a gentler eating experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who chase the heat, 2023 has brought an enthusiasm for specific chilies from different regions over your ordinary crushed red pepper. Calabrian peppers continue to reign supreme, but now we see the inclusion of Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
Each quarter of our International Spice pizza is graced with a different regional chili, contributing its own distinctive flavor profile. This fiery gastronomical journey has proven to be particularly popular amongst our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection between nature and our plates has deepened with the newfound popularity of foraged ingredients directly sourced from the wild. Leading this trend are forest-harvested mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured on our pizzas during their natural growing seasons.
We've also introduced spring ramps (wild leeks), oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips, offering patrons a genuine taste of nature. These wild ingredients serve more than just taste; they offer an experience of flavors not found in mass cultivation.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory that honey brings has solidified its position in the culinary world. Expanding upon the successful trend of hot honey in previous years, 2023 sees the emergence of various specialty honeys being delicately drizzled onto pizzas immediately before serving.
A selection that includes truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enriched honey is now gracing the menus countrywide. These unique drizzles contribute layers of depth, transforming even the most basic pizza creations into culinary delights.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings, that narrowly missed making our top list but are still creating a stir, include:
- Finely grated cured egg yolks, which cascade over the pizza like fine yellow snow
- Marinated fruits, particularly stone fruits such as apricots and cherries
- Toppings using heritage grains for added texture, like crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Spots of artisan butter (especially cultured or various compound butters infused with herbs)
No matter if you're a pizza purist or an eater ready to explore daring new flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and adored dishes globally. CrispBiscuitBar honors the classics while also welcoming new tastes, which is why our menu features everything from the timeless Margherita to the most avant-garde creations.
Which of these trending toppings have you sampled? Or do you have an original topping idea you'd love for us to try? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!