Each new year introduces novel culinary waves in the pizza industry, and 2023 is no different. At MealPalette, keeping tabs on the flavors that are enthralling pizza aficionados worldwide is our specialty. We present to you our selection of the top enchanting and sought-after pizza garnishes that are currently all the rage.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut health has transitioned into the pizza-making scene, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite on pies this year. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with intricate sour notes that wonderfully counterbalance the creamy cheese and sauce. These toppings not only offer probiotics but also bring novel textures to the traditional pizza experience.
Our innovative Fermentation Fiesta pie is adorned with our own sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, all tied together with a local honey drizzle to even out the sourness. The flavor combination might sound out of the ordinary, yet it has rapidly become one of our flagship requests.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge of interest in plant-based nourishment continues, spiking the demand for pizzas topped with intriguing meat substitutes. Beyond regular veggie toppings, breakthroughs in plant-derived proteins are providing options that even true carnivores appreciate.
Options such as plant-origin Italian sausage chunks, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit “pulled pork,” and pea protein “pepperoni” have carved a niche on our menu. These toppings are garnering attention not only from vegetarians but also because of their distinct tastes and a less hefty after-meal feeling.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who chase after a fiery taste, 2023 has favoured the proliferation of pizzas spiked with specific types of regional chili over the common red pepper flakes. Calabrian chili continues to ride the popularity wave of past years, but now variations like the fruity Aleppo pepper, Spanish smoky ñora chilies, Peruvian aji amarillo, and the Korean gochujang are topping our pizzas as well.
Our Global Heatwave pizza introduces a combo of four distinct chilies, each offering a different flavor profile, distributed across separate segments of the pie. It's a peppery gastronomical expedition that's particularly a hit with our more adventurous patrons.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-fork ideal has been reinvented as forest-to-pizza with the wave of seasonal wild-gathered ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which grace our pizzas during their prime harvest times.
In our exploration, we've used early spring ramps (wild leeks), oceanic greens like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for their distinctive aromatic flair. These foraged components offer a link to nature and introduce tastes unattainable from cultivated varieties.
5. Specialized Honey Drizzles
The harmony of savory and sweet achieved with honey has become a staple far beyond a mere trend. Expanding on the well-received spicy honey in the last few years, 2023 has heralded the integration of niche honeys drizzled on pizzas just before serving.
Honeys with a distinction, such as truffle-infused honey, honey fermented with garlic, aromatic mesquite honey, and innovatively, CBD-enriched honey, have found their way onto various menus. These final touches deepen the flavors and raise even the simplest pizza to a deluxe level.
Honorable Mentions
A slew of other toppings narrowly missing our main list but still creating a stir includes:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shredded atop the pizza like a cascade of golden flakes
- Quick-pickled fruits—particularly stone fruits such as peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain accents, like crispy farro or puffed sorghum for added crunch
- Gourmet dollops of artisanal butter, especially those enriched with cultures or mixed with herbs
Whether your preference lies with age-old classics or you're open to sampling avant-garde flavor pairings, pizza remains among the most versatile and adored dishes globally. At MealPalette, we pay homage to time-honored methods while also daring to innovate—evident in our menu that boasts both the iconic Margherita and trailblazing signature pizzas.
Have any of these avant-garde toppings caught your fancy? Maybe you have a bespoke blend you'd love to see on our menu? Let us know in the commentary or on your next visit!