The realm of pizza experiences new flavors and styles with each passing year, and 2023 is no different. Here at StillPlain, we keep a keen eye on global pizza trends. Below is our list of the top five pizza garnishes that are currently the rage among connoisseurs.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains attention, fermented vegetables are now a hit topping on pizzas. Varieties such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are creating a burst of zesty flavors that nicely balance out the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Besides being a source of probiotics, these toppings are introducing new textural contrasts to the conventional pizza.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, one of our specialties, combines homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, with a drizzle of local honey to cut through the sourness. Though it may be unexpected, this pizza is swiftly becoming a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has led to increased calls for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. These go beyond typical veggies, as advancements in plant-based ingredients have brought forth satisfying options for even the most ardent meat-eaters.
Menus now feature plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These alternatives are popular not only among vegetarians but also with customers drawn to their distinct tastes and their ease on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice are celebrating, as unique regional chilies gain favor over generic red pepper flakes. Although Calabrian chilies remain popular, we're now seeing the likes of Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our International Zest pizza offers a quartet of distinct regional chilies, each contributing a unique flavor to the pizza's quadrants. This creation has found a following notably among our daring clientele.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraged, seasonal ingredients have transitioned from upscale kitchens to pizza, with the farm-to-table trend evolving into a forest-to-pizza movement. Leading this charge are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, spotted on pizzas during their harvest seasons.
We are also exploring ingredients such as wild spring ramps, sea greens including dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These wild picks offer a connection to nature and impart flavors not found in cultivated produce.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet and savory that honey provides has solidified its place in pizza topping trends. The recent rise in hot honey varieties has expanded to include specialized honey drizzles.
Pizzas are now being finished with varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey. These drizzles are enhancing the complexity of flavors and taking even simple pizza to the level of gourmet indulgence.
Honorable Mentions
Some other inventive toppings that are gaining attention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a velvety finish
- Pickled fruits, with a focus on stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grains for added texture, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum
- Handcrafted butter varieties, like cultured or herb-infused butters, in small dollops
Whether you have a taste for timeless pizza classics or the thrill of new flavor pairings, pizza remains a universally cherished dish. At StillPlain, we embrace the roots of pizza culinary art while also encouraging innovation, which is why you'll find both historic Margherita and avant-garde gourmet pies in our repertoire.
Have any of these trending garnishes caught your attention? Perhaps you have a distinctive favorite combo you'd like to suggest? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit with us!