Credit: Courtesy of brands
Food and Drink
From afternoon tea to art prints: 11 pickle-themed buys to celebrate 2023’s surprise food trend
2 years ago
All products on this page have been selected by the editorial team, however Stylist may make commission on some products purchased through affiliate links in this article
3 min read
Move over, avocados: it’s the humble pickle’s time to shine.
Even the savviest of cultural forecasters surely couldn’t have predicted that the pickle would emerge as one of 2023’s top food trends – and yet here we are.
Tangy, briny pickled cucumbers have become an unlikely hit with Gen Z. #Pickles has clocked up more than 3.8 billion views to date on TikTok, where social media users are getting stuck into the viral pickle challenge. It involves eating a seriously spicy pickle… then drinking its juice. Even Florence Pugh has given it a go.
Could the pickle (whisper it) be the new avocado? All the signs seem to point to ‘yes’. A few years back, you’d see avos adorning prints, hoodies and trinkets; now it’s possible to get your hands on pickle-themed merch and wear your love for the humble gherkin on your T-shirt. As if to cement its status as the snack du jour, a pickle-themed afternoon tea pop-up has just arrived in London (read on for more on that).
Whether you’re after delicious snacking options, sauces to add an extra tang to your meal or want to prove your new favourite food is kind of a big dill (sorry) with some tongue-in-cheek accessories and interiors buys, we’ve compiled your ultimate pickle-inspired wish list.
The Pickle House Original Pickle Juice
The Pickle House’s founder Florence Cherruault was introduced to drinking pickle juice on a trip to New York, and decided to dedicate herself to bringing this tangy beverage over to the UK. It makes a great chaser for whiskey, FYI (a combination known as a Pickleback).
Shop Original Pickle Juice (set of six 500ml bottles) at The Pickle House, £42
The Refined Spirit pickle embroidered cap
A pastel pink baseball cap simply embroidered with the world ‘Pickle’? It’s the summer 2023 essential we never knew we needed.
Shop The Refined Spirit pickle embroidered cap at Etsy, £45.50
Happy Socks pickles socks
It’s near-impossible not to feel cheered when you catch a glimpse of the cute cucumber character that adorns this pair of Happy Socks.
Epicuriosity The Big Dill
Blitz gherkins with fresh dill and pickled onions and you get this rich sauce from vegan food company Epicuriosity. A delicious addition to burgers or salad, it really is kind of a big deal.
Odysea gherkin stuffed olives
Spanish queen olives stuffed with teeny, tiny gherkins? It’s the stuff of epicurean dreams for anyone with a love of sharp, salty snacks.
The Delight Project pickle-themed afternoon tea
Food adventurers The Delight Project previously brought an avocado-themed pop-up to London. Their latest venture? A pickle-themed afternoon tea pop-up at Farringdon artisan patisserie Ooh La La! Macarons. The menu will be an intriguing mix of sweet and savoury flavours: think white chocolate and dill pickle mini doughnuts and pickled jelly trifle. Tickets are currently available for teas on 30 April and 7 May, priced at £80 per person.
Ooh La La! Macarons, 5 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. thedelightproject.com
Novel Mart pickle organic tote bag
Wear your allegiance to your favourite briny cucumbers on a ludicrously capacious tote bag.
Dill pickle and jalapeno Kettle Chips
Gherkin mania has prompted the makers of other savoury snacks to sit up and take notice. Now Kettle Chips has added a tangy pickle flavour (jazzed up with a sprinkle of dill, a splash of vinegar and a dash of spicy jalapeno) to its repertoire of fancy crisps.
Shop dill pickle and jalapeno Kettle Chips at Waitrose, £1.60
Aah Yes Studio pickled art print
Artist and designer Ayesha Pearce’s simple, striking prints use bright colours and paper-cut shapes to put a fun spin on everyday objects; her re-imagining of the humble pickle won’t fail to cheer up your walls.
Bernal olives and pickles mixed flavours gift box
Here’s a real treat for those with discerning taste buds: Spanish olive purveyors Bernal have put together a special edit of some of their most delicious products, featuring pickled baby gherkins and Gordal and Cuquillo olives.
Shop Bernal olive and pickles mixed flavours gift box at The Gourmet Market, £34.95
Halen Môn gherkin relish
Add a generous drizzle of Halen Môn’s gherkin relish to sandwiches, burgers or anything you fancy. The secret ingredient? The brand’s hand-harvested Anglesey sea salt crystals add some serious punch.
Images: Courtesy of brands
Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.
By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy
Thank you!
You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.