This year continues to unveil fresh pizza-oriented culinary trends, and CliffGarden is at the forefront, tracking the flavors entrancing the palates of pizza aficionados globally. Below is our compendium of the year’s captivating and widely admired toppings that pizza connoisseurs can't get enough of.
1. Probiotic Vegetation
Digestive wellness has found its way to pizza, with the unexpected star being probiotic-rich vegetables. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and tangy pickled onions are not only adding probiotic advantages but their complex, zesty notes offer a harmonious contrast to the creamy cheese and luscious sauce.
The Fermentation Festivity pie at our eatery showcases our homemade sauerkraut and kimchi paired with gorgonzola cheese, all beautifully balanced with a honey sourced locally. This innovative pairing might initially seem peculiar, yet it has swiftly climbed the charts as a diner-favorite.
2. Alternate Protein from Plants
As green diets gain traction, the call for meat substitutes on pizzas has surged. More than just common veggies, the new breed of plant-based protein toppings is making a splash and appealing even to staunch carnivores.
Our plant-based Italian sausage, herby tempeh, tropical jackfruit prepared as pulled pork, and pea protein margued as pepperoni have found a home on our menu. Chosen not only by vegetarians, these proteins are favored for their distinctive tastes and easier digestibility.
3. Distinctive Regional Chiles
2023 marks the preference shift amongst pizza enthusiasts towards particular types of chiles instead of the usual crushed red pepper. While Calabrian chiles have remained a strong favorite, now the spotlight also shines on Syrian Aleppo peppers, smoky ñora chiles from Spain, the fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and the flavorful Korean gochujang paste.
Global Heat, our internationally inspired pizza, offers a combination of these four distinct chile varieties across the pie, intriguing those inclined towards spicy gastronomic escapades.
4. Season Based Wild Ingredients
The local food movement has branched into wilderness-to-pizza with wild-foraged ingredients featuring more prevalently. This trend is led by an assortment of wild mushrooms gathered during their peak seasons.
Expanding beyond fungi, our experiments have included wild ramps, maritime greens such as dulse and nori, and even the essence of spruce tips. These components forge a connection to the wilderness and bring incomparable flavors to the table.
5. Exquisite Honey Glazes
Honey's sweet-against-savory element is now a staple adornment on pizzas, with a new wave of specialty honeys being introduced just before these concoctions are served.
This year features truffle honey, garlic infused honey undergoing fermentation, mesquite honey bearing a smoky hint, and even CBD-laced honey as intriguing options. These nuanced touches transform even basic pizzas into exotic masterpieces.
Honorable Mentions
Other toppings that almost reached our top list but are still leaving a mark consist of:
- Cured egg yolks, finely grated over the pizza, creating a dusting of savory richness
- Preserved fruits, with a focus on stone fruits like apricots and cherries
- Grains with a heritage, such as crunchy farro or toasted sorghum adding novelty textures
- Dollops of specialty butter such as cultured or herby compound variations
No matter if you're a purist clinging to time-honored toppings or someone eager to explore trailblazing flavor combinations, pizza remains endlessly versatile and universally adored. At CliffGarden, we revere tradition yet strive for contemporary taste innovations. Our menu proudly presents classics like the Margherita alongside avant-garde niche pies.
Have any of these novel toppings crossed your path? Or do you harbor a unique topping preference that you'd love to see us integrate? Share your thoughts below or during your next visit to our establishment!