As we progress through the years, the pizza industry continues to witness the emergence of new culinary trends, and 2023 stands as no different in this regard. At QuietGardenPath, keeping tabs on ingredients that tantalize the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide is our priority. Behold our curated list of the top pizza garnishes that have taken the culinary scene by storm this year.
1. Pickled Vegetables
With a growing emphasis on digestive health, an unexpected front-runner in pizza toppings this year has been pickled vegetables. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bestowing pizzas with their layered, sour flavors which nicely cut through the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Delivering probiotic advantages, these pickled delights also add a novel textural element to the classic pizza.
Our Pickled Parade pizza is adorned with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, crowned with a sweet honey drizzle that perfectly offsets the sour elements. It's an unconventional pairing, quickly climbing the ladder to become one of our most sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As the trend of plant-based consumption continues its ascent, there's been an appreciable demand for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Surpassing the usual veggie toppings, advancements in plant-derived proteins are now impressing even staunch carnivores.
We are now dishing out options such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein crafted into pepperoni slices. These additions cater to more than just plant-based diets—they draw in patrons eager for distinctive flavors and a more digestible meal.
3. Exotic Chili Varieties
For those with a penchant for spice, 2023 is the year pizza lovers have been exploring distinct chili varietals over the ubiquitous crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies continue to hold sway, yet we're witnessing the emergence of Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang spread across pizzas.
Our Spice Sojourn pizza provides a tasting journey of four different exotic chilies, each quadrant of the pizza bursting with its distinct flavor profile. It's an offering that's enthralled our more daring customers.
4. Wild-Harvested Seasonal Ingredients
Taking cues from the farm-to-table ethos, forest-sourced toppings have surged in popularity when adorning pizzas. Notably, wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, have been frequent toppings during their unique harvesting times.
We're exploring diverse wild fare such as springtime ramps, sea greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. By integrating these ingredients, pizzas become a bridge connecting diners with the untamed outdoors, delivering flavors unreplicable by conventional agriculture.
5. Artisanal Honey Drizzles
The interplay of honey's sweetness against savory notes has solidified its standing beyond a mere fad. Following the buzz around spicy honey in preceding years, 2023 has welcomed an assortment of artisanal honeys, gracing pizzas moments before they're served.
Deluxe varieties such as truffle honey, honey infused with fermented garlic, rich smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey are making appearances, enhancing even the simplest of pizza creations to an artisanal level.
Honorable Mentions
Several other toppings that narrowly missed our leading list but continue to leave an impact include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza like a shower of golden flakes
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain garnishes, providing crunch with crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Dollops of specialty butter, such as cultured or herbed compound variations
Whether your preference lies in the realm of time-honored classics or you're in pursuit of innovative flavor blends, pizza remains a versatile and universally cherished dish. At QuietGardenPath, we pay homage to conventional styles whilst pioneering new tastes—that's why you'll discover both ageless Margherita and boundary-pushing specialty pies gracing our menu.
Have you sampled any of these on-trend toppings yet? Or perhaps you have an exclusive favorite combination you're eager for us to try? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit to our establishment!