Each new year introduces pizza enthusiasts to fresh gastronomic trends, and 2023 is no different. At BridgeCanvasHub, we keep an eye on what delicacies are conquering the palettes of pizza aficionados worldwide. We present to you our curated list of the most alluring and sought-after pizza garnishes that are currently in vogue.
1. Fermented Vegetables
As gut health takes center stage, fermented vegetables have emerged as a hit topping on pizzas. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a sophisticated, tangy taste that enhances the hearty flavors of cheese and tomato sauce. These fermented options don't just promote a healthy microbiome—they add a new layer of texture to classic pizza fare.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts in-house fermented sauerkraut, kimchi, and creamy gorgonzola, with a final drizzle of local honey to counteract the sour notes. This unconventional mix is rapidly becoming a fan favorite on our roster of special pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The rise of plant-based diets has led to increased demand for pizzas topped with inventive meat substitutes. Going beyond typical veggies, the advent of vegetable-based proteins offers options to please even steadfast carnivores.
Our menu now includes dishes like vegan Italian sausage crumbles, zesty tempeh, tropical-inspired marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These toppings aren't only for vegetarians—they've garnered a following for their distinctive taste and ease on the stomach.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Those with a penchant for heat are celebrating the adoption of select regional chili varieties in place of ubiquitous red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies continue their streak of popularity, while Aleppo pepper, smoky ñora chilies from Spain, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and Korean gochujang are now featuring more commonly on pizzas.
The Global Heat pizza is served with a quartet of distinct regional chilies, each lending a signature spicy kick to the various sections of the pizza. This creation is a hit with our more thrill-seeking customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The local-sourcing ethos has extended from farm-to-table into forest-to-pizza with the emergence of seasonally foraged ingredients. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitakes, which appear in sync with their growth seasons.
Our experiments have gone further to include wild leeks or ramps, maritime greens like dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These naturally occurring ingredients offer diners a taste of the wild, delivering flavors that are hard to replicate in a cultivated environment.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The contrasting sweetness that honey brings to savory dishes has become a mainstay, not just a fleeting fad. Following the wave of hot honey includes a variety of specialty honey types now used as drizzles on pizzas just before they’re served.
Exotic truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, rich mesquite honey, and innovative CBD-infused honey are gaining traction in pizzerias nationwide. These nuanced toppings add a layer of sophistication, transforming even the most basic pizza into a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings not quite making the top five but still causing a stir include:
- Preserved egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a rich, umami snowfall
- Pickled fruits like peaches and plums, particularly from the stone fruit family
- Historical grains such as crisp farro or popped sorghum for added crunch
- Dabs of artisan butter, be it cultured or infused with garden herbs
Whether your tastes skew towards timeless classics or you're a culinary explorer eager to experience novel flavors, pizza remains the ultimate versatile and cherished dish. At BridgeCanvasHub, we pay homage to the tradition while also leading culinary innovation—hence our menu covers the spectrum from the iconic Margherita to boundary-pushing specialty pies.
Have you sampled any of these trending toppings? Or perhaps you have a distinct combination in mind that you’d love for us to feature? Share your thoughts in the comments, or during your next visit!