As with each passing year, pizza garnishes take new turns in popularity, and the year 2023 is seeing its share of innovative tastes. Here at Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, keeping a pulse on the ever-changing preferences of pizza aficionados worldwide is our dedication. We present to you our curated list of the top pizza toppings that are currently the rage.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health gains attention, pizza has not been left behind, with fermented vegetables emerging as a surprise crowd-pleaser. The sharp notes of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions perfectly offset the creamy textures of cheese and base, offering both probiotic perks as well as adding unexpected textures to a conventional pizza.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, which includes our own sauerkraut and kimchi with a blending of gorgonzola, all harmonized with a drizzle of provincial honey to soften the sourness. An out-of-the-box mix that's rising the charts in popularity.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As the wave of plant-based diets does not seem to recede, the quest for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes has surged. Beyond typical veggie toppings, the advent of plant-based proteins has introduced choices that even staunch carnivores can enjoy.
Toppings like plant-derived Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit interpreted as pulled pork, and pea protein styled as pepperoni are now staples on our menu. Chosen not only by vegetarians, these proteins are favored for their distinctive taste and a gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those that seek a thrill from spice, 2023 has welcomed a shift from generic pepper flakes to specific regional chili types. While Calabrian chilies continue their popularity, spices like Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are starting to top pizzas.
Our International Heat pizza combines four distinct regional chilies, introducing diverse flavors to each section of the pizza. A fiery quest that's winning favor with our explorative customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has transformed into woodland-to-pizza with the increased use of seasonal foraged components. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms, with chanterelles, morels, and maitake mushrooms appearing in their prime seasons.
We're also featuring wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), marine greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These components offer a connection to nature and flavors that aren't found in cultivated varieties.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between sweet and savory brought about by honey has been more than a fleeting fad. Expanding on the hot honey trend, 2023 has seen a surge in specialised honey variants being drizzled on pizzas upon serving.
Honeys such as truffle-infused, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite, and even CBD-extracted honeys are making it onto menus nationwide. These final drizzles add a layer of sophistication, transforming straightforward pizzas into gourmet fare.
Honorable Mentions
Some other garnishes just shy of our top list but still creating ripples include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza giving off a velvety dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a preference for stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grains for topping, using crispy farro or popped sorghum for added texture
- Specialty butter dollops (including those with cultured herbs or compound flavors)
Whether you align with the traditional palate or you are one to venture into novel tasteful territories, pizza remains a beloved and infinitely adaptable dish worldwide. At Crust & Crumble Pizzeria, we revere tradition as much as we value innovation, which is why our menu features both the timeless Margherita and the avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have you sampled any of these recent toppings? Or perhaps you have a unique combination in mind that you’d wish to encounter on our offerings? Share with us in the comments or drop by to let us know!