Each year introduces fresh trends in the pizza-sphere, and 2023 has brought its own flavors to the forefront. At BlueGardenAtelier, we keep a close eye on global tastes that pizza aficionados are enjoying. We're excited to share this year's top trending pizza garnishes that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has spilled over into the pizza industry, with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions have been delivering intricate, sour notes that pair well with the creamy cheeses and sauces. In addition to their probiotic advantages, these toppings bring novel textures to the classic pizza base.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza showcases in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all topped with a local honey drizzle to soften the sourness. Despite being unconventional, it's swiftly become one of our widely requested specialty dishes.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The shift toward plant-centric diets has risen, along with the demand for pizzas topped with alternative meat options. Instead of the usual veggies, the advent of plant proteins now offers options even ardent carnivores appreciate.
Items such as plant-based Italian sausage crumbs, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein iterations of pepperoni have found a place on our menu. They're chosen by many customers not just for ethical reasons but for their distinctive tastes and a more digestible meal experience.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Chili enthusiasts are celebrating! In 2023, pizza lovers are opting for authentic regional chili cultivars over generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue to be a favorite, while we also see incorporation of Aleppo peppers, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on various pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza offers a blend of four distinct regional chilies, each imparting its unique flavor profile on the pizza. It's a fiery journey that's gained popularity especially among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table ethos has progressed into a forest-to-pizza philosophy, thanks to the growing allure of seasonally foraged items. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured prominently during their peak seasons.
We've also experimented with foraged spring ramps (wild leeks), oceanic greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinct aromatic twist. These gatherable items connect our patrons with nature and offer unrivaled flavors that can't be replicated in a cultivated setting.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory through honey has proven to be more than just a fad. Hot honey has seen continued use, but 2023 has welcomed an array of specialty honey drizzles just before serving.
Exquisite varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are showing up in eateries nationwide. These finishing drizzles contribute depth and turn even the simplest pizza options into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that narrowly missed making the top five but are still creating buzz include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza for a luxurious garnish
- Pickled fruits, notably drupes such as peaches and plums
- Grains of heritage, like crunchy farro or puffed sorghum adding texture
- Gourmet butter clumps, especially cultured or mixed herb butters
Whether you adhere to traditional favorites or yearn for avant-garde taste pairings, pizza remains a universally adaptive and cherished dish. At BlueGardenAtelier, we revere the classics while also celebrating the avant-garde—that's evident in our menu featuring both traditional Margherita and boundary-pushing gastronomic pizzas.
Which of these on-trend toppings have you sampled? Or perhaps you have a personal pizza topping concoction you'd like us to introduce? Share with us in the comments or during your next visit!