As each year unfolds, new pizza flavors and styles emerge, and 2023 is no outlier. Here at StonePromenade, keeping an eye on what's enrapturing the palate of pizza aficionados worldwide is our prerogative. Below is a compilation of the trendiest and most sought-after pizza garnishes that have taken center stage this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health garners more attention, the pizza-scene has welcomed fermented vegetables with open arms. Pizzerias are now integrating toppings such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and preserved onions, offering tangy flavors that meld seamlessly with the traditional cheese and tomato sauce. These fermented options don’t just bring probiotics to the table, but also add new layers of texture to familiar pizza profiles.
The Fermentation Festivity pizza is laced with our artisan sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, lightly drizzled with artisanal honey as a counterpoint to the acidity. Initially unexpected, this combination is swiftly becoming one of our most endearing and requested specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has not gone unnoticed in the realm of pizza, with a noticeable uptick in requests for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Beyond the quintessential veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-based protein options have been appealing to even the most stalwart carnivores.
Options like plant-simulated Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are becoming staples on our menu. These proteins are enticing not solely for vegetarians but for a broad customer base due to their distinctive tastes and a more agreeable effect on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those seeking out a fiery slice are indulging in distinct regional chili varieties rather than generic flakes. Calabrian chilies hold their ground in popularity, followed now by an array of global hot spices like smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang setting the stage on various pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza delivers a quartet of regional chilies, each quadrant showcasing its own heritage and tastes. This fiery culinary journey has garnered particular favor among patrons yearning for a zestful experience.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The pursuit of locally-sourced food has now pathed way for the use of wild, foraged ingredients straight onto the pizza canvas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods that grace our pizzas when they are in season.
We have broadened our foraging to include spring ramps (wild leeks), coastal sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for an unexpected aromatic twist. These naturally procured ingredients afford diners a taste of the wilderness and impart unique flavors that are hard to replicate in cultivated settings.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The intricate dance of sweet with savory that honey brings has now thoroughly entrenched itself beyond a mere fad. Continuing from the trend of hot honey in past years, 2023 welcomes an array of unique honey variations as garnishes atop pizzas just prior to being served.
Exotic varieties like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even non-intoxicating CBD honey have been appearing on menus nationwide. These premium garnishes contribute a layer of sophistication and can transform even the most basic pizzas into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional garnishments that narrowly missed our top five but are nonetheless leaving their mark include:
- Preserved egg yolks, grated like a rich dusting over the pizza
- Marinated fruits, notably stone fruits such as apricots and plums
- Ancient grain crunch, like toasted farro or burst sorghum
- Handcrafted butter spots, especially cultured or mixed herb butters
Whether you're a purist who cherishes time-honored classics or a culinary adventurer keen on exploring novel tastes, pizza remains among the world’s most versatile and cherished dishes. StonePromenade pays homage to tradition while advancing gastronomic creativity—with our menu featuring both the iconic Margherita and an array of avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these current toppings? Or is there an innovative pairing you'd love to see us introduce? Drop your thoughts in the comments or share with us during your next visit!