As each year unfolds, new gastronomic fashions extend to the pizza sector, and 2023 is no different. At AmberPlain, we're committed to tracking which ingredients are enchanting pizza aficionados worldwide. Presenting our compilation of this year’s top pizza garnishes that are making a splash.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut wellness has made its way to pizza kitchens, with fermented veggies emerging as this year’s surprise topping contender. Combinations of kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are infusing pizzas with their intricate sour nuances that pair nicely with the heavy flavors of cheese and tomato sauce. These toppings are not only tasty but offer the added benefit of probiotics and bring an exciting new textural play to classic pizza.
Try our Gut Pleasure pizza, which includes a unique mix of in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and a rich gorgonzola, all balanced out with a drizzle of local honey. While it may seem an unconventional blend, it's quickly claimed a spot as one of our most sought-after pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The ascent of plant-forward diets has led to an increased appetite for pizzas adorned with inventive meat substitutes. Moving past common vegetable toppings, advances in plant-based proteins have brought forth alternatives that can win over even devout carnivores.
Options such as plant-derived Italian sausage bits, flavorful tempeh, tender jackfruit ‘pulled pork,' and pea-based 'pepperoni' are now staples in our kitchen. These aren't just for plant-eaters – our clients are drawn to them for their distinct tastes and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who favor the fiery side of life, 2023 is the year of embracing particular chili peppers over the usual crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies continue to hold their own, we're also witnessing the rise of distinct peppers such as the flavorful Aleppo, Spanish smoky ñora chilies, Peruvian fruity aji amarillo, and the deep, spicy Korean gochujang on our pizzas.
Our Pepper Passport pizza is a journey of heat, adorned with an assortment from four different peppers that each lend their individual taste to the slice. It's quite the favorite among our more daring customers.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The ethos of farm-to-table has spread into the wild with an increased embrace of foraged ingredients on pizza. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and maitakes, which emerge on our menu in their peak seasons.
We're also incorporating the unique flavors of wild spring ramps (leeks), various sea vegetables like dulse and nori, along with fragrant spruce tips. These wild-crafted additions forge a connection with nature and provide irreplaceable flavors that can't be found in cultivated goods.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The interplay of sweet and savory that honey offers has become a mainstay beyond a fleeting craze. Riding the wave of hot honey's recent success, this year has seen a surge in distinct honey varieties being used as a final flourish on pizzas.
Delicacies like truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, aromatic mesquite honey, and even non-intoxicating CBD honey have started to appear. These drizzles are game-changers, adding depth and transforming even simple pizzas into gourmet experiences.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that didn't make our main list but deserve a shout out include:
- Cured egg yolks, liberally grated over the pizza creating a savory dusting
- Pickled fruits, with a special mention for stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain toppings, like crispy farro or popped sorghum, adding crunch
- Dabs of artisan butter, with varieties like cultured or mixed herb butter setting the tone
Whether you're a purist who holds the classics near and dear, or a gastronomic thrill-seeker keen on novel ingredients, pizza remains an infinitely adaptable and universally adored dish. At AmberPlain, we pay homage to tradition while steering towards innovation, which is why you'll spot both the timeless Margherita and an array of avant-garde pizzas on our menu.
Are any of these fashionable toppings on your must-try list? Or perhaps you have a distinct topping or blend in mind that you'd love to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or on your next visit!