With each new year come fresh trends in the pizza scene, and 2023 has not fallen short of expectations. At CleverBase, we consistently observe global pizza trends and the preferences of pizza aficionados. Here are the top trending pizza garnishes stirring excitement this year.
1. Preserved Vegetables
Gut health has made a leap into the pizza industry, with preserved vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and marinated onions are infusing pizzas with complex, sour notes that enhance the creamy textures of cheese and sauce. These garnishes do not just favor your gut with probiotics; they also add a new layer of texture to conventional pizza offerings.
Our unique Fermentation Fiesta pizza offers a combination of home-cured sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola cheese, topped with a drizzle of local honey to cut through the sourness. It may appear to be an eccentric mix, but it's hastily becoming a hot pick among our custom specialties.
2. Plant-Derived Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has led to an uptick in the demand for pizzas adorned with innovative meat substitutes. Far from ordinary vegetable toppings, the latest advances in plant-derived proteins have brought forth alternatives that can impress even steadfast carnivores.
Items like meat-free Italian sausage bits, seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork in a marinade, and pea protein-based pepperoni now appear routinely on our menu. These protein choices are picked not just by vegetarians; many of our patrons select them due to distinctive taste profiles and a lighter feel during digestion.
3. Specialty Regional Chilies
The year has seen a rise in pizza enthusiasts opting for distinctive regional chilies instead of standard crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chilies retain their popularity, other chilies such as Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang are now garnishing pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza presents an assortment of these four diverse chilies, each contributing its distinct flavor to separate sections of the pizza. This spicy medley has captured the favor of our more intrepid customers.
4. Wild Seasonal Components
Seasonal wild ingredients have aligned with the farm-to-table ethos, with a rising trend in forest-sourced toppings. Leading the way are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which appear prominently during their growing seasons.
Aside from mushrooms, we're introducing spring ramps (wild onions), marine greens like dulse and nori, and spruce tips for their unique aromatic presence. These elements connect customers with the wilderness and bring flavors not found in commercially grown produce.
5. Artisanal Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to create a sweet and savory balance has secured it as more than a fleeting fad. Building upon the hot honey trend from past years, 2023 has noted a burgeoning variety of specialized honeys being dribbled onto pizzas just prior to serving.
Exquisite varieties such as truffle-infused honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-laden honey are being spotted in pizzerias nationwide. These confectionary drizzles inject complexity and promote even the most basic pizza recipes to a deluxe level.
Honorable Mentions
A collection of other garnishes not making it to our top list but still securing a spot in the limelight include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely shaved over our pizzas similar to a dusting of golden powder
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Ancient grain additions, with toppings like crispy farro or puffed sorghum providing crunch
- Culinary butter dabs (especially cultured or herbed compound butters)
Whether your style is classic preferring time-honored staples, or you lean towards trailblazing taste combinations, pizza remains a universally adaptable and cherished dish. At CleverBase, we respect the classics while also welcoming new tastes—this is why our menu boasts both time-honored Margherita alongside avant-garde creations.
Have you sampled any of these top trends in toppings? Or perhaps you have a distinct flavor pairing you’d like to propose for our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or during your next visit!