With each passing year, pizza garnishes take on new exciting forms, and the year of 2023 is no different. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, staying abreast of global pizza fanatics' flavor cravings is our priority. Below are the top refreshing and favored pizza garnishes that have taken the culinary stage by storm this season.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Probiotics have invaded the pizza scene, as fermented veggies emerge as the surprise darlings atop pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are providing pizzas with an intricate zestful taste while also offering probiotic advantages and a novel play on texture alongside the traditional cheesy and saucy base.
Our Fermentation Festivity pie includes a custom blend of sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, with a light touch of local honey to counteract the sourness. The mix may appear unconventional, yet it's becoming one of our most sought-after gourmet pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based cuisine persists, and the spike in preference for meat-free pizza options is unmistakable. Departing from typical veggies, the myriad of meat-like plant protein options are now available to pizza aficionados, including those with an appetite for traditional meats.
Options such as faux Italian sausage crumbles, herbed tempeh, jackfruit prepared as pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have become staples on our menu. These plant proteins captivate customers not only for their diet-friendly attributes but also for their distinctive tastes.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 marks a passionate enthrallment of pizza lovers with distinctive types of regional chilies over standard red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, joined by the likes of smoky Spanish ñora, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang, each making their mark on pizzas.
Our International Zest pizza presents a selection of these chilies, featuring four diverse flavors separated into different sections of the pizza, offering the diner a gastronomic journey through spice.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Seasonal foraging adds a wild touch to pizzas, advancing the farm-to-table concept. Wild mushrooms like chanterelles and hen of the woods are increasingly topping pizzas, perfectly suited for their growth seasons.
We've also been introducing spring ramps, various sea greens, and even spruce tips on our pies, bringing consumers closer to nature and offering irreplicable tastes that are unattainable through commercial means.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The addition of honey for a sweet-and-savory flavor has secured its place in the pizza world. In 2023, diverse types of gourmet honey toppings have become the norm, enhancing pizzas just before they're served to the table.
Using truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and CBD-infused honey, these drizzles intensify the flavor complexity and raise the culinary status of even the simplest pizza combinations.
Honorable Mentions
Some other garnishes nearly making it into our top five include:
- Cured egg yolks, expertly grated over the pizza crust resembling fine golden flakes
- Pickled fruits, particularly peaches and plums
- Ancient grain crunch, such as crisped farro or puffed sorghum, adding textural intrigue
- Specialty butters, such as cultured or infused with herbs, in small dollops for added richness
No matter if you're someone who honors timeless classics or delights in exploring the bold new flavors, pizza remains an incredibly versatile and universally adored dish. At Crust & Craft Pizzeria, we're paying homage to time-honored traditions while also indulging in the thrill of innovation—that's evident in our diverse offerings ranging from the classic Margherita to avant-garde creations.
Have you experienced any of these up-and-coming garnishes? Or perhaps there's a distinctive pizza topping you'd relish? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on your next stopover at our location!