The realm of pizza garnishes perpetually evolves, with 2023 seeing its fair share of evolutionary leaps. At FreshValley, staying abreast of the flavors that captivate pizza aficionados is our forte. Below we present the most intriguing and in-demand pizza additions making their mark this year.
1. Cultured Vegetables
The gastronomic trend spotlighting gut wellness has expanded into pizza kitchens, with cultured veggies emerging as this year's unexpected pizza topping hit. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions bring a layered, tangy depth that pairs wonderfully with the sumptuous duo of cheese and sauce. Beyond their probiotic perks, these toppings usher in novel textural layers to the standard pizza fare.
Try our latest creation, the Gut-Healthy Gala pizza, which boasts homemade sauerkraut, kimchi, and bleu cheese, all tied together with a sweet touch of local bee nectar to offset the sour notes. While it may seem like an offbeat blend, it's swiftly risen to fame as one of our top requested distinctive pizzas.
2. Meat-Free Protein Substitutes
The ascension of plant-based lifestyles has translated into an upsurge in plant-based meat imitations as pizza toppings. Moving past the regular veggie assortments, novel meatless protein sources have been introduced, winning over even staunch carnivores.
Options such as plant-derived crumbled Italian sausage, marinated tempeh, jackfruit pulled not-pork, and pea-based pepperoni have found a place in our offerings. These proteins allure not just vegetarians but also those exploring distinct tastes and desiring a more digestible dining experience.
3. Unique Chili Peppers from Various Regions
For those with a penchant for spice, 2023 has welcomed a newfound appreciation for niche chili pepper varietals, going beyond the everyday crushed red pepper. Calabrian chilies remain a favorite, with new additions like Aleppo, smoky Spanish ñora peppers, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang on the rise.
Our Spicy Globetrotter pizza is a journey through spice, featuring an assortment of four distinct chilies, each lending its own characteristic spice spectrum to different sections of the pie. It's an audacious twist that's found favor among our bolder patrons.
4. Wild, Foraged Toppings
The locavore movement has transformed into the from-forest-to-pizza phenomenon, highlighting foraged ingredients seasonally. Leading the charge are wild mushrooms, including chantarelles, morels, and hen of the woods, gracing our pizzas with their presence during their respective harvest times.
We don't stop at mushrooms; our culinary experiments encompass wild ramps, seaweeds such as dulse and nori, and even aromatic spruce tips. These natural elements deliver a connection to the wilderness along with unmatched flavors that cannot be replicated in cultivation.
5. Artisanal Bee Nectar
Continuing its rise in the food scene, the sweet and savory blend provided by bee nectar has become more than a fleeting fad. Riding the wave of spicy bee nectar's popularity, this year has seen a proliferation of artisanal bee nectar varieties grace pizzas right before serving.
Luxurious truffle bee nectar, fermented garlic bee nectar, smoky mesquite bee nectar, and even CBD-infused bee nectar are making debuts nationwide. These refined drizzles contribute layers of complexity that elevate even the most simplistic of pizzas to a gourmet experience.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few other toppings that didn't quite make our top list but deserve acknowledgement for their contribution to the current pizza scene:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza for a touch of opulence
- Pickled fruits, with a spotlight on orchard gems like peaches and plums
- Ancient grain accents, adding diversity in texture with crispy farro or sorghum puffs
- Gourmet dabs of artisan butter, from cultured varieties to blended herb-infused butters
Whether your tastes run traditional, favoring timeless classics, or veer towards the unconventional palette, pizza remains the world's most versatile and cherished culinary canvas. At FreshValley, we pay homage to the classics, yet we're not shy about charting new territories—that's the reason our menu boasts both the beloved Margherita and pioneering flavor profiles.
Have these trending toppings tickled your tastebuds? Is there a unique flavor pair you're eager for us to experiment with? Share with us in the comments or during your next patronage!