Pickles are having a very visible moment. From pickle chips and pickle beer to pickle marshmallows, flavored cheese spreads, and a growing list of pickle-themed accessories, the briny snack has become hard to avoid. According to the report, the trend has even spilled into novelty items like lip gloss, perfume, purses, shirts, and a pricey pickle ring.
The article points to both social media and food-industry trend chasing as major forces behind the surge. One pickle company executive says the craze keeps getting bigger each year, while a pickle author suggests platforms like Instagram have helped push the flavor into the spotlight. FoodNavigator reported that pickle-flavored product sales rose nearly 34%, reaching about $490 million compared with the year before.
The boom has also made its way behind the bar. Some venues are using pickle juice in cocktails because of its vinegar, garlic, and salty qualities, which can add depth and cut sweetness. A pickle margarita at one San Diego hotel has been a strong seller, and a San Francisco bar recently introduced a dirty Manhattan built with pickle juice, house-made pickle brine, rye whiskey, and tamarind vermouth.
Still, not every pickle experiment works. The report says a viral idea pairing frozen pickles with Sauvignon Blanc did not fare well in testing, with the wine and pickle acidity clashing rather than complementing each other. Even so, the piece suggests there is still plenty of room to enjoy the current pickle wave, especially in cocktails and other savory uses, as long as the flavor is applied with some restraint.
Source: bonappetit.com
