Each year ushers in new tastes in the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no different. At RiverBloom, our team is always on the lookout for flavors that are delighting the palates of pizza aficionados worldwide. Here's a glance at the most buzzworthy and sought-after pizza garnishes dominating this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut health has transitioned into pizza kitchens, with fermented vegetables emerging as an unexpected favorite on pizza menus. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are imparting a complex tanginess that pairs well with the creamy essence of cheeses and sauces. These fermented add-ons not only offer probiotic benefits but also infuse new textural elements to pizza's classic feel.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza shines with in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, harmoniously balanced by a sweet drizzle of local honey. This combination may seem unconventional, yet it's swiftly risen to one of our most-sought-after specialty pizzas.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based diets gain ever more traction, we've noticed an uptick in demand for pizzas adorned with inventive non-meat alternatives. Extrapolating beyond the usual veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins have allowed us to satisfy even the staunchest carnivores.
We're now serving up pizza with plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These plant proteins are not exclusively for vegetarians—numerous customers select them for their distinctive flavors and gentler impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
For those who crave a fiery bite, 2023 has seen pizza lovers experiment with specific chili varieties from distinct regions, as opposed to generic red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies carry on their popularity streak, we've also welcomed Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, vibrant Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang onto our pizzas.
Our Global Heat pizza is a spicy excursion, featuring a quartet of regional chilies, each lending a unique flavor profile to different segments of the pizza. It has particularly attracted diners inclined towards culinary exploration.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The route from farm-to-table has evolved into a forest-to-pizza trek with foraged seasonal ingredients gaining popularity. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms, such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods, which pop up during their natural growing seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we've been experimenting with wild-sourced ingredients like spring ramps (also known as wild leeks), sea botanicals including dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural elements not only create a link to the environment but also offer tastes that cultivated produce can't match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet and savory contrast rendered by honey has solidified its place as more than a fleeting fancy. The continued appreciation of hot honey has paved the way for a variety of specialty honeys to be drizzled over pizzas before they're served.
Honeys infused with truffle, fermented garlic, a smoky mesquite hint, and even non-psychoactive CBD-enriched options are cropping up on pizza menus across the nation. These drizzles bring complexity and a touch of gourmet refinement to even the most simplistic pizza recipes.
Honorable Mentions
Some additional toppings that narrowly missed our top five but deserve mention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over pizzas like flakes of golden snow
- Pickled fruits, particularly stone fruits such as peaches and plums
- Toppings made of ancient grains, like crisp farro or popped sorghum, that add texture
- Dollops of artisanal butters (like cultured or compound butters with herbs)
Whether you’re someone who holds the classics dear or a gastronomic adventurer eager for novel blends, pizza remains the world's most versatile and cherished dish. At RiverBloom, we celebrate time-honored traditions as much as we do culinary innovation, which means our menu proudly hosts both the timeless Margherita and avant-garde specialty pizzas.
Have any of these trendy toppings made their way to your plate? Or is there a particular combination you’d relish seeing on our menu? Share your thoughts in the comments or tell us on your next visit!