With each year, the realm of pizza experiences rejuvenation through new culinary fashions, and 2023 does not fall short. At CalmBridgePrairie, keeping track of what seduces the palates of pizza aficionados around the world is our forte. Here, we've compiled a list of this year's top pizza additions that are causing a sensation.
1. Fermented Vegetables
Pizzerias are now celebrating gut health with a surprising entry: fermented vegetables. This year, toppings like kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions offer rich, tangy flavors that enhance the creamy cheese and sauce foundation. They not only bring probiotic health benefits but also add novel textures to the conventional pizza experience.
Try our Fermentation Fiesta pizza, showcasing in-house sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, together with a sweet drizzle of local honey to soften the sharp taste. It may seem like an odd pairing, but it's fast becoming a much-demanded signature dish.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
The surge in plant-based diets has led to an increased interest in pizzas that present inventive non-meat options. Beyond basic veggies, novel plant-based protein alternatives are prevailing, winning over even the most ardent carnivores.
Our menu now regularly includes toppings such as crumbles of plant-based Italian sausage, flavorful seasoned tempeh, jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni. These alternative proteins are not reserved just for vegetarians; a lot of our patrons select them for their distinctive taste and less heavy impact on digestion.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
A thrill for those who enjoy spiciness, 2023 welcomes pizza lovers to specific regional chili variations over the traditional red pepper flakes. While Calabrian chilies continue to reign from past years, varieties like the smoky Spanish ñora chilies, sweet Peruvian aji amarillo, and fiery Korean gochujang are now gracing pizzas with their presence.
Our International Heat pizza presents an assortment of four distinct regional chilies, each offering its own flavor characteristic to different sections of the pie. It's been a hit among our more daring guests seeking a spicy escapade.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
Bringing the essence of the wild to pizzas, foraged finds from nature are trending, with wild mushrooms like chanterelles, morels, and hen of the woods stealing the show. These are made available only when they're in season.
We're extending our range to include wild leeks such as spring ramps, oceanic plants such as dulse and nori, and fresh spruce tips for their unique fragrance. These elements offer diners a taste of the wilderness and impart flavors that cultivated produce simply cannot match.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
Honey's ability to contrast with savory flavors has established itself firmly beyond a fleeting craze. This year, specialized honey variations have burst onto the scene as a final touch to pizzas, bestowing a complex taste experience upon each slice.
We're seeing an array of honeys like truffle, fermented garlic, smoky mesquite, and even a note of luxury with CBD-enhanced honey embellishing pizza menus nationwide. These honeys serve as the final flourish, transforming simple pizza combinations into gourmet marvels.
Honorable Mentions
While not quite making our top five, these additional toppings are still causing ripples:
- Cured egg yolks delicately grated over pizzas as if a fine powder
- Pickled fruits—particularly stone fruits like peaches and cherries
- Ancient grain garnishes such as crispy spelt or puffed sorghum adding crunch
- Splashes of artisan butter variants like those infused with herbs or cultures
Whether your taste leans towards time-honored classics or the thrill of new flavor encounters, pizza remains one of the most customizable and cherished dishes globally. At CalmBridgePrairie, we blend respect for tradition with a spirit of culinary exploration, which is why our menu houses both the ancestral Margherita and avant-garde creations alike.
Which of these topping trends have you sampled? Is there a novel pairing you'd love to see us introduce? Share your thoughts below or drop by and let us know!