The pizza scene annually dishes out new edible trends, and 2023 follows suite. At HalcyonField, keeping tabs on global flavor faves among pizza aficionados is our specialty. Feast your eyes on this year's tantalizing roundup of top pizza garnishes.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gastrointestinal wellness has inspired a trendy topping twist in the form of fermented veggies. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are bringing a zesty zing to pizzas, enhancing the sumptuous duo of cheese and tomato base. These tangy treasures are not only packed with probiotics but also add an interesting textural twist to the beloved dish.
The Fermentation Fiesta pizza, with in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, plus gorgonzola, all perfectly paired with a honey drizzle, might seem quirky, but it's fast becoming a fan favorite.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise in vegan diets has seen a swell in alternative proteins, far beyond your garden-variety veggie toppings. Meat subtitutes like plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, spiced tempeh, and marinated jackfruit are decking out our pizzas, not only appealing to non-meat eaters but also those who favor distinctive tastes and easier digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
2023 has granted chili connoisseurs their wish with a newfound respect for distinctive chilies over the common red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain favorites while piñatas of world flavors from Aleppo pepper to Peruvian aji amarillo and fiery Korean gochujang sauce are making their mark.
The International Inferno pizza with its diverse chili quartet offers a scorching culinary quest, particularly admired by the flavor thrill-seeker.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Farm-to-table has evolved to include wild finds with foraged seasonal greens leading the way. Wild mushrooms like chanterelles and morels find their way onto pizzas in their peak seasons.
We're venturing beyond fungi, featuring wild ramps, sea greens, and even fragrant spruce tips, connecting customers to nature and delivering irreplicable flavors.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay between honey's sweetness and savory pizza is proving it's more than a trendy wave. Innovative honey types like truffle-infused and smoky mesquite are dazzling diners and transforming basic pizzas into epicurean delights.
Honorable Mentions
Other noteworthy toppings that have also been making a splash:
- Grated cured egg yolks, dusting pizzas like a golden flurry
- Acidulous pickled stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Grains with heritage, offering crunchy textures like crisp farro or popped sorghum
- Dollops of refined butter, from cultured varieties to ones infused with herbs
No matter if you're a purist savoring the classics or a bold flavor seeker, pizza's adaptability and universal appeal remain unchallenged. At HalcyonField, we're all about honoring tradition while courting culinary creativity, which is why you'll spy both venerated Margherita and brave new specialty pies gracing our menu.
Have you experienced any of these sprouting topping trends? Or maybe you have an inventive combo in mind that we should try out? Drop your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit to us!