With each passing year, the pizza sector introduces fresh food trends, and 2023 is no different. At TrailCorridor, we constantly track the latest flavors that pizza aficionados worldwide are craving. Here are the top pizza garnishes that are dominating the scene this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health's rising popularity has spilled over into the pizza world, with fermented vegetables emerging as this year's unexpected topping sensation. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a savory zest, balancing out the creamy cheese and sauce textures. These garnishes don't just add probiotic value but also infuse a new layer of texture to our beloved pizza.
Our signature Fermentation Fiesta pie includes unique house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and blue cheese, topped off with a dash of local honey to cut through the acidity. It may sound like an odd mix, but it's quickly taken a spot as one of our most sought-after creations.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The momentum of plant-based diets hasn't slowed, with a surge of requests for pizzas decked with inventive non-meat options. Moving past traditional veggies, the leaps made in plant-derived proteins are impressing even the staunchest carnivores.
We're serving up a range of plant proteins such as Italian-style veggie sausage, seasoned tempeh, tropical jackfruit treated as pulled pork, and peas turned into a mock pepperoni. These alternatives aren't only for the herbivores among us; many patrons choose these for their distinct tastes and a gentler effect on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Pizza lovers with a penchant for spice are celebrating, as 2023 has seen a distinct preference for particular regional chili types over the standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies are still in favor, we're now seeing spices like Aleppo pepper, smoked Spanishñora, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang sprinkled on pizzas.
Our Global Fiery pie is a mosaic of four diverse regional chilies, each lending its unique flavor to different sections of the pizza. This spicy exploration has caught on especially well with our more intrepid customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
What started as farm-to-table has transformed into forest-to-pizza, thanks to the growing trend of using seasonal foraged goodies. Leading the pack are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, featured prominently during their peak seasons.
Additionally, we've been incorporating wild spring ramps, oceanic plants like dulse and nori, and aromatic spruce tips. These nature-derived components offer an unreplicable savoriness, connecting our customers to the wild and delivering flavors that simply cannot be grown on demand.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory from honey has secured its position as a long-term favorite. Going beyond the previously famed spicy honey, the current year has seen a variety of unique honey types garnishing pizzas right before they're served.
Options now include truffle honey, aged garlic honey, sweet-smoky mesquite honey, and hemp extract-enhanced honey. These specialty drizzles add a dash of sophistication and can transform even the simplest pizzas into gourmet masterpieces.
Honorable Mentions
Additionally, here are a few contenders that nearly made our top five but are deserving of mention for their rising popularity:
- Cured egg yolks, grating atop pizzas like finely powdered gold
- Tart pickled fruits, particularly with stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, such as crunchy farro or popped sorghum, for added crunch
- Exclusive butter dabs, especially cultured or herbed compound varieties
Whether your tastes veer towards classic toppings or you're eager to experiment with innovative flavors, pizza remains the ultimate customizable and beloved dish. At TrailCorridor, we stay true to the classics while also venturing into new culinary territories—that's why our menu features both age-old Margheritas and avant-garde specialty options.
Have you sampled any of these trendsetting toppings? Or is there an exceptional combination you're hoping to see on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or catch us on your next visit!