As each new year unfolds, so do the culinary innovations in pizza-making, and 2023 is no different. Here at PebbleGrainWork, our team is constantly keeping tabs on the new favorites of pizza aficionados worldwide. Today, we're excited to share the top pizza garnishes that are trending right now.
1. Fermented Veggies
The quest for digestive wellness has made marinated vegetables a surprise sensation atop pizzas this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring zesty flavors that perfectly complement the creamy cheeses and sauces. These toppings aren't just tasty—they add a probiotic punch and a new layer of textural intrigue to the pizza experience.
Try our Fermentation Festivity pizza, crowned with in-house sauerkraut, savory kimchi, and bold gorgonzola, all tied together with a sweet drizzle of local honey to offset the sour notes. While it may strike as an odd combination, it's turned into one of our most popular specials.
2. Alternatives to Meat from Plants
The plant-forward diet celebration has marked a noticeable uptick in pizzas bedecked with meat substitutes. Heading beyond garden-variety veggies, the introduction of alternative plant proteins has been winning over even staunch carnivores.
Options like crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful tempeh, jackfruit ‘pulled pork’, and pea protein ‘pepperoni’ have become staples on our menu. And it's not only vegetarians who are lining up for these—they’re a hit with customers looking to diversify their palates and have a lighter meal.
3. Distinct Regional Chili Peppers
Spice enthusiasts, celebrate! The year 2023 is all about embracing specific chili peppers from various regions instead of the usual red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, there's a growing trend for distinctive peppers like aromatic Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and savory Korean gochujang on pizzas.
Our Global Heat Wave pizza comes with an assortment of these regional chilies, providing an exciting flavor profile to each slice. It's become a particular hit with our customers who are eager for a gustatory challenge.
4. Ingredients Sourced from the Wild
The idea of sourcing directly from nature, or forest-foraging, has transitioned to the realm of pizza with foraged seasonal ingredients skyrocketing in demand. Wild mushrooms are at the forefront, with chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods emerging as sought-after toppings during their growing seasons.
Apart from fungi, our menu has experimented with wild spring ramps, ocean greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for that uniquely aromatic kick. Such ingredients not only connect our customers to the natural world, but they also offer tastes that can't be replicated in a commercial setting.
5. Specialty Honey Infusions
The perfect match of sweet and savory brought by honey has moved beyond a mere fad. Following the trend of hot honey, the year 2023 has introduced a variety of specialty honey infusions that are drizzled on our pizzas just before they're served.
We now serve up delights like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey. These honeys enhance and sophisticate the flavor of even the simplest pizzas.
Honorable Mentions
Other topping contenders which are gaining traction, but didn't quite make the main list, include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza like wisps of sunshine
- Pickled fruits, with a highlight on orchard fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grains, incorporating textures like crispy farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of artisan butter, especially those enriched with culture or mixed with fine herbs
Pizza's universal appeal continues to thrive, whether you're someone who sticks to timeless classics or you're daring enough to try innovative flavors. PebbleGrainWork takes pride in our marriage of traditional and experimental offerings—that's why our menu features both the ageless Margherita and boundary-pushing creations.
Are any of these toppings on your taste radar? Perhaps you have your own unique favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments, or let us know the next time you dine with us!