Each new year ushers in fresh gastronomic tendencies in the realm of pizza, and 2023 follows suit. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we constantly observe what's captivating pizza aficionados worldwide. Here is our compilation of this year's most thrilling and sought-after pizza garnishes.
1. Fermented Veggies
The emphasis on digestive wellness has journeyed into pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as an unexpected crowd-pleaser on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending intricate, zestful tastes that perfectly balance the creamy cheese and rich sauces. These toppings not just offer probiotic advantages but also bring a fresh dynamic to the classic pizza texture.
Our Fermentation Fête pizza is adorned with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a final drizzle of local bee honey to contrast the sour notes. Though it seems unconventional, it's swiftly becoming one of our top specialty requests.
2. Plant-Based Protein
As plant-centric diets gain more ground, the appeal for pizzas adorned with inventive meat replacements has surged. Passing the usual vegetable toppings, the breakthroughs in plant proteins have introduced alternatives that even staunch carnivores can appreciate.
Options like plant-based Italian sausage crumbs, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have become staples in our kitchen. Not solely destined for vegans, many patrons opt for them due to their distinctive taste profiles and their more comforting effect on digestion.
3. Local Pepper Varietals
For those chasing a fiery kick, 2023 welcomes a feast of specialty peppers from various regions over the common crushed red pepper. Calabrian peppers continue their reigning popularity, yet now we see peppers like the Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang gracing pizzas.
Our International Blaze pizza offers a selection of four different regional peppers, each imparting its unique taste to different sections of the pizza, for an adventure in spiciness that's favored by our daring customers.
4. Season-Dependent Wild Ingredients
The trend from farm-to-table to forest-to-pizza is abloom with wild, seasonally foraged elements gaining popularity. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms, with types like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods appearing according to the season.
We're not just sticking to mushrooms; we're also incorporating wild ramps, sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive, aromatic touch. These ingredients connect eaters with nature and offer flavors that can't be found in farmed produce.
5. Unique Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory by honey has become a staple, no longer a fleeting curiosity. Offshoots of the once-beloved hot honey, 2023 brings a variety of distinct honey types that are drizzled on pizzas just prior to serving.
Exotic varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-enhanced honey are cropping up in eateries nationwide. These final touches infuse sophistication and transform even the simplest pizza into a gourmet concoction.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few additional toppings that nearly made it onto our top list but are certainly worth mentioning:
- Aged egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for an opulent touch
- Preserved fruits, with a focus on stone fruits like peaches and apricots
- Ancient grains for a crunchy texture, such as crisp farro or popped sorghum
- Specialty butter spots, especially those cultured or infused with herbs
Irrespective of whether you're a purist who adores timeless toppings or a venturesome eater keen on novel combinations, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished foods globally. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we honor the classics while championing novelty—this is why our selection ranges from the archetypal Margherita to the avant-garde specialities.
Have any of these nouveau toppings caught your interest? Or is there a one-of-a-kind concoction you wish to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!