With each passing year, the pizza industry ushers in fresh and intriguing trends, and the year 2023 is no different. At StillGarden, our goal is to stay ahead of the curve, capturing the latest flavors that tantalize the palates of pizza aficionados the world over. Here we present you with the top pizza toppings that are currently causing a buzz.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Emphasis on digestive wellness has found its way to pizza with an unexpected ascent of fermented vegetables as top choices. Ingredients like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a complex, sour kick that marries well with the creamy cheeses and tomato sauce. These toppings do not just offer health benefits as probiotics but also bring new textures to the classic pizza.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is a hit, boasting our proprietary sauerkraut, kimchi, and bold gorgonzola cheese, with a finishing drizzle of local honey to mellow the sour notes. This unusual blend is gaining fame as one of our most sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of plant-based diets has not gone unnoticed in the realm of pizza toppings, leading to a noticeable increase in demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Rather than just settling for typical veggie options, the advent of alternative proteins provides satisfying choices for even the staunchest of carnivores.
We are now proud to serve plant-sourced Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein shaped into pepperoni slices. These offerings appeal to more than just vegans and vegetarians; a variety of customers select these for their distinctive tastes and gentler profile on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spice are finding joy in pizzas topped with select chilies from various regions, as opposed to the standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue their stronghold in popularity, new varieties like smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now featured toppings.
Global Heat, our pizza offering, invites you to a spicy gastronomic journey with a quartet of distinctive chilies from around the world, each adding its flair to a quadrant of the pizza. This fiery special has garnered a following amongst our patrons who lean towards bold flavors.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraged seasonal offerings are becoming increasingly favored, allowing the farm-to-table concept to evolve into what might be dubbed forest-to-pizza. Taking the lead are various wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, each featured during their peak season.
Our exploration doesn't stop at mushrooms; springtime sees us bringing in wild ramps (leeks), while coastal greens like dulse and nori, not to mention the occasional use of aromatic spruce tips, all make their way into our creations. Such ingredients provide a connection with nature and impart unmatched flavors that cultivated counterparts cannot replicate.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory sparked by honey has established itself as a lasting part of pizza cuisine. Expanding on the hot honey trend of years past, 2023 sees a burst of unique honey types gracing pizzas just before they're served.
Now buzzing on menus are exotic selections like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite-flavored honey, and CBD-enhanced honey. These final drizzles add layer upon layer of depth, transforming even the simplest pizza to culinary excellence.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings nearing the top five but still garnishing attention include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely shredded atop pizzas for a luxurious touch
- Quick-pickled fruits such as peaches and plums
- Wholesome grains like crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Gourmet dollops of butter, including those with cultured or herbal notes
Whether your preference lies with timeless classics or you’re eager to experiment with innovative flavors, pizza remains one of the most versatile and beloved dishes worldwide. At StillGarden, we salute timeless classics while also welcoming culinary creativity, which is why you will find both the traditional Margheritas as well as avant-garde specialty pizzas on our menu.
Have any of these recent flavors made it to your plate? Or maybe you have a novel topping suggestion you're keen for us to try? Drop us a line in the comments or during your next visit to our establishment!