As each year unfolds, so do new gastronomic tendencies in the pizza sphere, and 2023 is no different. At FutureSolutions, keeping a pulse on what's enthralling pizza aficionados worldwide is our thing. Below is our list of this year's top luscious pizza garnishes shaking up the scene.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Amplifying gut health awareness has made its entrance into pizza joints, with fermented vegetables becoming an unexpected hit atop pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are introducing sophisticated, tangy notes that perfectly contrast the creamy depths of cheese and sauce. These tangy top-layers are not only imbued with probiotics but also add new textural layers to the conventional pizza profile.
Our Fermented Festivity pie showcases home-crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all crowned with a touch of local honey for a sweet counterbalance. While it may strike some as odd, it's flying out the door as one of our most sought-after signature dishes.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-based diets has not missed the pizza industry, with a surge in consumer interest for pizzas topped with innovative alternatives to meat. Moving beyond regular veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins are dishing out selections that can impress avid carnivores.
Veggie Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni have all become staples on our menu. These toppings have drawn in more than just vegetarians—many of our guests are drawn to them for their distinct flavors and gentler feel on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for fiery flavors are in luck! This year, pizza lovers are opting for specialized regional chili varieties over the common red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies have held onto their fame from past years, we're now seeing the likes of rich Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang spreading across pizzas.
Global Heat at our establishment brings forth a selection of four different regional chilies, each lending its unique taste to the pie. This pizza has become a hit among diners with a taste for the bold and the daring.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local-sourcing ethos has ventured into the wild with the growing appeal of seasonally foraged elements. Leading this charge are wild mushrooms, with sorts such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooming on pizzas when in season.
In addition to mushrooms, our culinary experiments have incorporated spring ramps, marine greens like dulse and nori, as well as spruce tips adding a unique aromatic twist. These ingredients not only offer an authentic taste of the untamed wilderness but also flavors that aren't replicable in commercial farming.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The delightful interplay of honey's sweetness against the savory has solidified its place beyond a transient fad. Capitalizing on the hot honey trend of the past, 2023 bears witness to a burst in specialty honey variants being drizzled over pizzas before they're served.
Honeys infused with truffle, fermented garlic, mesquite's smokiness, and even CBD have made their way onto our nation's pizza parlors' offerings. These drizzles serve to add a layer of sophistication and upgrade even the simplest pizza recipes to connoisseur levels.
Honorable Mentions
Other garnishes that didn't quite make our primary list but are nevertheless making ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks finely grated over the pizza, mimicking a shower of savory snowflakes
- Pickled fruits, with an emphasis on stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Dabs of artisan butter, especially those cultured or infused with herbs
Whether you lean towards time-honored staples or you're open to trailblazing flavor marriages, pizza maintains its global stature as an adaptable and universal delight. At FutureSolutions, we pay homage to the classics while also wholeheartedly welcoming novelty—that's evident from our featuring both the iconic Margherita and avant-garde varieties.
Have any of these hot new toppings graced your palate? Or perhaps you harbor a distinct topping combo you'd wish to see us incorporate? Share with us in the commentary section or the next instance you're with us!