Each cycle of the sun introduces novel trends in the pizza-sphere, and the year 2023 is no different. At CoveWanderCalm, keeping a pulse on the preferences of pizza enthusiasts worldwide is our forte. Presented here is our compendium of the most buzzworthy and preferred pizza garnishes shaking up this year's scene.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains prominence, fermented vegetables have emerged as a surprising sensation topping pizzas. Tangy delights like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending a complex zest that harmonizes with the creamy cheese and savory sauce. Not only do these fermented options have probiotic advantages, but they also introduce innovative textural elements to pizza's classic foundation.
The Fermentation Festivity pizza, sporting in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, crowned with a drizzle of local honey to temper the sour notes, may seem unconventional, yet is swiftly ascending our list of sought-after specialty creations.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets drives a corresponding surge in requests for pizzas clad with creative meat substitutes. Moving beyond ordinary veggie toppings, the advent of plant proteins proffers alternatives that even the most ardent carnivores find satisfying.
Options such as crumbled plant-based Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit posing as pulled pork, and pea protein impersonating pepperoni have found a home in our repertoire. These proteins cater to not just vegetarians but also patrons seeking distinct flavors and a more digestion-friendly fare.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for spiciness are in luck! The year 2023 has welcomed pizza aficionados seeking out specific chili types over generic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies remain a fan favorite, varietals such as the smoky Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chilies, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now gracing pizzas.
The International Zest pizza delivers a quartet of unique regional chilies, each imparting its distinctive taste to the pizza's quarters, a fiery exploration that's a hit among our more curious customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Seasonal foraged components have amplified the farm-to-table concept directly to pizza preparation, with foraged wild mushrooms, including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms, frequently featured throughout their natural harvesting times.
Furthermore, our culinary experiments have encompassed wild ramps (wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips, connecting patrons to the earth and offering unparalleled flavors not found in farmed counterparts.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Complementing pizzas with a drop of honey, creating a savory-sweet juxtaposition, has rooted itself firmly within the gastronomic landscape. Progressing from the widespread hot honey, the current year has burst forth with a variety of specialty honey infusions perfect for drizzling on pizzas just before they are served.
Varieties like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and CBD-enriched honey are making their presence known. These last-minute drizzles add intricacy and raise even the most straightforward pizza pairings to a gourmet caliber.
Honorable Mentions
Other garnishes that didn't quite make our top five but are still leaving an impression include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizza like a shower of gold
- Pickled fruits, with a particular nod to stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain accompaniments, such as crispy farro or puffed sorghum adding texture
- Specialty butter spots, especially cultured or mixed herb butters
Regardless if you're a purist who reveres timeless classics or a brave palate eager to sample novel concoctions, pizza remains a global, versatile, and cherished meal. At CoveWanderCalm, we honor time-honored classics whilst also welcoming culinary creativity—evident in the coexistence of traditional Margheritas and avant-garde specialities on our menu.
Which of these topping trends have you sampled? Or perhaps you harbor a unique preferred blend you'd like to see us adopt? Convey your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!