Each year introduces fresh culinary waves within the pizza realm, and the year 2023 upholds this tradition. At TheUnseenConnections, we keep a close eye on the flavors and toppings that capture the attention of pizza enthusiasts worldwide. Allow us to present our list of the current year's most captivating and favored pizza garnishes that have piqued interest.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health's growing importance has extended to the pizza industry, with fermented vegetables emerging as a surprising fan favorite on pizzas in 2023. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing intricate, sour notes that complement the creamy cheese and savory sauce. These toppings aren't just tasty but also introduce beneficial probiotics, as well as fresh textural elements to conventional pizza recipes.
The newly introduced Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts a selection of home-prepared sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped off with a sweet drizzle of nearby honey to mellow the tartness. Although this mix may seem atypical, it has swiftly risen to become one of our most sought-after signature pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise in plant-based diets has not left the realm of pizza untouched. We've witnessed a noticeable surge in the allure of pizzas adorned with ingenious meat substitutes. Departing from typical vegetable toppings, the innovation surrounding plant-based proteins has brought forth alternatives that have even won over staunch carnivores.
Items such as crumbled Italian plant-based sausage, seasoned tempeh, marinated pulled pork from jackfruit, and pea protein pepperoni are now a staple in our menu. These plant-derived proteins have gone beyond just appealing to vegetarians; many of our patrons opt for them for their distinctive tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who adore spice, the year 2023 has marked a shift towards pizzas garnished with specific regional chili peppers rather than commonplace pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to be a favorite, new entries like the Aleppo pepper, Spanish ñora chili, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are also gracing pizzas.
Our International Heat pizza offers an assortment of four distinct regional chilies, each imparting its unique flavor to different sections of the pizza, providing a fiery gastronomic journey that's been immensely popular among our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Foraged ingredients that reflect the season have become a trend, as the farm-to-table movement expands into forest-to-pizza. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear everytime their season rolls around.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been exploring with wild ramps (also known as wild leeks), sea greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips, which provide a distinctive aromatic essence. These naturally found ingredients offer our customers a connection to the outdoors and flavors that cannot be replicated commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory thanks to honey has become more than a fleeting fad. Expanding upon the hot honey trend of recent years, 2023 has witnessed the rise of exclusive honey varieties being sprinkled on pizzas just before they're served.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even honeys infused with CBD have started popping up on menus nationwide. These honeys serve as a final flourish that adds depth and can transform a basic pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
A collection of other garnishes that didn't quite make our top five but are still creating ripples includes:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shredded across the pizza for a touch of golden luxury
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Grains of heritage, with crispy farro or popped sorghum adding new textures
- Specialty butter blobs, especially those that are cultured or blended with herbs
Whether your palette favors timeless classical toppings or craves the thrill of novel flavors, pizza remains endlessly adaptable and profoundly loved across the globe. Here at TheUnseenConnections, we pay tribute to time-honored practices while also championing new creations—that's why our menu boasts both the traditional Margherita and experimental pizzas crafted with modern influences.
Have you sampled any of these trendsetting toppings yet? Or perhaps do you have a unique favorite topping combination you'd like us to consider? Share your thoughts in the comments or the next time you drop by our place!