As each year passes, we witness novel culinary fads in the realm of pizza, and the year 2023 stands out in this tradition. At GlobalMindset, our goal is to keep an eye on trends that win over pizza aficionados worldwide. We're excited to present our compilation of this year's top pizza garnishes that are currently trending.
1. Fermented Vegetables
A spotlight on digestive wellness has brought fermented veggies to the forefront of pizza recipes, and their presence has been a surprising success. A tart zing from kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions magnifies the savory qualities of cheese and tomato base. These toppings are not just tasty; they provide gut-friendly probiotics and a novel twist on texture when compared to traditional pizzas.
The newly introduced Fermentation Fete pizza combines in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, all topped off with a drizzle of artisanal honey to counteract the sourness. Despite being a bit unconventional, it's proving to be a much-sought-after selection on our specialty pizza roster.
2. Plant-Based Meat Substitutes
The shift towards a more plant-centric diet is still gaining traction, leading to a noticeable uptick in pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Diversifying from the usual veggie toppings, cutting-edge advancements in meat alternatives have crafted selections that even the most devout carnivores appreciate.
Items such as plant-derived Italian sausage chunks, flavored tempeh, marinated jackfruit masquerading as pulled pork, and pea protein “pepperoni” have become staples on our menu. These alternatives are favored not solely by vegetarians but also by patrons looking for distinct flavors and a less hefty gastronomic experience.
3. Exotic Chilies
For those who seek some heat, 2023 has been a thrilling year, with a shift away from generic spice options to unique, locale-specific chili variants. Calabrian chilies continue from their past success, alongside up-and-comers like the aromatic Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang sharing the limelight on our pizzas.
Our Global Spice Quest pizza offers an assortment of these four distinct chilies, with each lending a distinct flavor to its section of the pizza, presenting a fiery culinary journey that has particularly resonated with our bolder guests.
4. Wild-Crafted Seasonal Ingredients
The locavore movement has now sprouted a new trend, from forest floor to pizza crust, via use of wild, seasonally foraged ingredients. Leading the pack are various types of wild fungi including chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods which are featured at the peak of their seasons.
In addition to these fungi, we're incorporating wild spring leeks (ramps), maritime greens such as dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a dash of earthy fragrance. These foraged finds connect our customers to the wilderness and provide flavors unavailable in cultivated produce.
5. Artisanal Honey Infusions
Contrasts between sweet and savory are here to stay, with honey becoming a consistent favorite drizzle on our pizzas prior to service. Continuing from the trendy hot honey, the year 2023 has witnessed a rise in specialized honey types enhancing our dishes.
Options such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, a hint of smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-enhanced honey have made their way into eateries nationwide. These exquisite final touches infuse complexity and promulgate pizzas from mere casual fare to epicurean masterpieces.
Honorable Mentions
Some other garnishes that didn't make the top five but are still creating a buzz include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas for a sprinkle of umami
- Pickled stone fruits such as peaches and apricots
- Ancient grain sprinkles, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum, for added texture
- Gourmet butter dollops, especially those that are cultured or mixed with herbs
No matter if you're a purist who sticks to the classics or a culinary explorer open to new pairings, pizza remains one of the most versatile and cherished dishes worldwide. At GlobalMindset, we cherish time-tested recipes while also welcoming culinary innovations—this is why our menu features both the time-honored Margherita and pioneering specialty pizzas.
Have any of these contemporary garnishes made it to your plate? Or perhaps you have a distinct topping combination in mind that you'd love to see us try? Share your thoughts in the comments or drop by and tell us during your next visit!