Each year ushers in fresh trendy enhancements in the pizza industry, and 2023 is no different. At CitrusSeedMarket, our continuous mission is to uncover the latest favorites in pizza flavors around the planet. We present to you the current hit-list of pizza garnishes that are in vogue this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emergence of gut-health as a culinary focus has made its way into the pizza scene with fermented veggies emerging as a surprising success atop pizzas in 2023. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are lending complex sour flavors that marvelously balance out the creamy density of the cheese and tomato base. The probiotic advantage of these fermented garnishes is a bonus, along with their introduction of new textured contrasts to conventional pizzas.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza is assembled with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, crowned with a local honey drizzle that mitigates the acidic taste. This mixture may first appear unconventional, yet it's on its way to becoming a top-favored gourmet offering.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
The escalating enthusiasm for plant-centric diets has witnessed a corresponding increase in plant-based toppings on our pizzas. Departing from the usual vegetable options, the innovation in plant proteins introduces alternatives that even the most ardent carnivores enjoy.
Variations such as crumbled plant-made Italian sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit as a stand-in for pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are becoming staples on our menu. Opting for these proteins isn't limited to the vegetarian community—they're chosen for their distinctive tastes and their gentler impact on digestion.
3. Specific Regional Chilies
Those with a penchant for spicy flavors are celebrating the growing trend of selecting specific regional chili varieties over generic flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be celebrated, delight is also found in the additions of Aleppo peppers, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang embellishing pizzas.
Our Worldly Spiciness pizza is an assortment of four contrasting regional chilies, each imparting its characteristic taste to different segments of the pizza, providing a hot taste exploration that suits our bolder clientele.
4. Wild-Foraged Seasonal Components
The local-foraging trend has transitioned to the pizza domain, emphasizing wild seasonal elements. Leading this movement are various wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms, each featured prominently in their prime seasons.
Expanding beyond fungi, our culinary explorations have included early spring ramps, oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These wild ingredients offer a natural culinary connection and furnish flavors that simply can't be replicated with farmed products.
5. Distinctive Honey Infusions
The interplay of sweet and savory from honey as a topping has definitively rooted itself beyond transitory fad status. Expanding on the well-received spicy honey in past years, 2023 has seen a surge of unique honey infusions utilized as a final touch on pizzas just before they're served.
Decadent truffle honey, piquant fermented garlic honey, aromatic smoky mesquite honey, and even honey infused with CBD are turning up across nation's pizzerias. These nuances add sophistication and transform even the humblest of pizza recipes into an exquisite dish.
Honorable Mentions
Additional notable toppings that narrowly missed our top list but are still making significant impressions include:
- Preserved egg yolks, grated atop pizzas for a luxurious finish
- Marinated fruits, particularly those from the stone fruit family like apricots and cherries
- Ancient grains for added crunch, such as toasted farro or puffed sorghum
- Dab of boutique butters, especially those that are cultured or enriched with herbs
Whether you're a die-hard traditionalist or an intrepid foodie seeking novel pizza experiences, pizza remains one of the most adaptive and universally cherished dishes. At CitrusSeedMarket, we celebrate the classics while also supporting culinary innovation—evidenced by our menu's inclusion of the timeless Margherita alongside avant-garde specialties.
Have these newfangled toppings made it onto your plate, or do you indulge in a distinctive personal favorite you'd like to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!