Each new year delivers fresh gastronomic fads to the realm of pizza, and the year of 2023 is bustling with new flavors. At FernBarrow, our team diligently observes the global palate preferences of pizza aficionados. Here is our curated list of the trendiest and beloved pizza garnishments that are making a splash in 2023.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Gut wellness has found its way to pizza as fermented veggies rise to the spotlight. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions are supplying intricate, sour notes which mesh well with the creamy cheeses and sauces. Besides offering probiotic perks, these fermented fixings are infusing a novel textural element to the classic pizza pie.
Our Fermentation Fiesta pizza boasts in-house crafted sauerkraut, kimchi, blended with gorgonzola cheese and a hint of organic honey for sweetness to offset the sourness. This blend might seem out of the ordinary, it has rapidly risen to become one of our signature best sellers.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As the plant-based diet trend soars, the quest for pizza topped with imaginative meat substitutes is on the rise. Far from ordinary veggie toppings, the advancements in plant-based protein have brought forth products that please even the most ardent carnivores.
Our menu now features plant-based Italian sausage sprinkles, herbed tempeh, marinated jackfruit mimicking pulled pork, and pea protein crafted to resemble pepperoni. These toppings don’t just cater to vegans—many patrons are impressed by their distinctive tastes and a more agreeable effect on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
This year is a treat for those who adore spicy flavors, with pizza lovers opting for distinctive regional chili varieties over standard red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue from their past appeal, we’re also seeing chilies like the smokey ñora from Spain, fruity aji amarillo from Peru, and Korean gochujang spread across pizzas.
The International Heatwave pizza brings together an assortment of four distinct chilies, each lending its characteristic heat to different parts of the pizza. This pie is particularly favored by customers craving a bold, spicy journey.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The connection between the food on our plates and the source from which it comes has been rekindled with the trending usage of seasonal foraged ingredients right onto our pizzas. Leading this trend are wild mushrooms such as chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods mushrooms, which make their way onto our pizza during their peak seasons.
In addition to mushrooms, we are introducing wild ramps, various oceanic herbs like dulse and nori, and occasionally spruce tips, which provide a distinct aromatic essence. These natural ingredients allow our customers to experience a taste of the wild while providing flavors which can’t be found in cultivated varieties.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The intersection of sweet and savory that honey introduces has now become a stable preference. Building upon the well-known spicy honey, the year 2023 welcomes an assortment of special honey types that are lightly poured over pizza before serving.
A myriad of gourmet honeys like truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, mesquite honey, and honey infused with CBD are featured on establishments nationwide. These distinctive drizzles contribute to an intricate taste and turn even the simplest pizza recipes into gourmet creations.
Honorable Mentions
A number of other toppings that didn’t make our main list but are worthy of attention include:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a dusting of rich flavor.
- Pickled fruits, with a notable mention to stone fruits such as peaches and plums.
- Whole grains used as toppings, like crunchy farro or popped sorghum, which add texture.
- Specialty butters, including cultured or herb-infused varieties, for dollops of richness.
No matter if you fall under the banner of a purist who cherishes time-honored toppings or you’re an experimenter eager for novel flavor mixes, pizza remains the quintessential customizable and universally cherished dish. At FernBarrow, we pay tribute to age-old traditions while also looking forward to gastronomic novelties— this is why our menu presents both the beloved classic Margherita as well as avant-garde special offerings.
Have you experienced any of these contemporary toppings? Or perhaps you have a unique topping combination in mind you’d love for us to introduce? Share your thoughts in the comments, or let us know during your next visit!