HOW DID THIS PISTACHIO CRAZE START?

If you’ve noticed pistachio everywhere lately, you’re not imagining it. From artisan gelato in Rome to croissants in Dubai and dessert bars in Melbourne, pistachio has become the flavour everyone is talking about. But when exactly did this craze begin, and why does it feel like pistachio has suddenly taken over the world of desserts?

Add melted milk chocolate to level up your experience!

The truth is, pistachio isn’t new. This little green nut has a history stretching back thousands of years, with origins in Persia and the Middle East. It was once seen as a delicacy for royalty, a symbol of fortune, and a flavour reserved for celebrations. Over time, pistachio became a staple in Mediterranean sweets like baklava, nougat, and halva. Italians gave it another chapter, turning it into creamy gelato that still defines the flavour for many today.

But the modern pistachio craze, the one that’s filling your TikTok feed and making you search “pistachio desserts near me”, has roots in another global food trend: Dubai chocolate.

In recent years, Dubai became a hotspot for indulgent desserts and flavour mashups. Videos of pistachio croissants dripping with melted chocolate, pistachio crepes stuffed with Nutella, and pistachio milkshakes topped with gold leaf went viral, setting off a global obsession. Dubai’s reputation for excess met pistachio’s naturally luxurious character, and suddenly the world couldn’t get enough of it.

This wave didn’t stay contained to the UAE. Tourists brought the flavours home, food bloggers jumped on it, and pistachio became a household craving. Add the fact that pistachio’s soft green colour pops on Instagram and TikTok, and it was inevitable that pistachio would explode into a worldwide dessert craze.

So why does pistachio resonate so strongly? It’s because it offers balance. Chocolate is indulgent. Caramel is rich. Strawberry is sweet. But pistachio is layered; earthy, creamy, nutty, subtly sweet. It has enough depth to feel “grown-up,” but enough comfort to feel nostalgic. And when paired with chocolate (as Dubai proved), honey, or fruit, it takes on a new dimension every time.

At Drizzl’d, we’ve seen the demand first-hand. Customers have been asking for pistachio, and we decided it was time to deliver. Our new menu has just soft-launched, featuring not one but two pistachio-inspired creations. Both items celebrate the richness of pistachio while keeping true to Drizzl’d’s signature playful style.

But here’s where we did things differently. Instead of overloading the flavour, we’ve kept them versatile. We wanted our customers to be able to make them their own whether that means adding milk chocolate for a creamy indulgence, drizzling honey for a Middle Eastern twist, or topping them with strawberries for a fresh, fruity contrast. Pistachio is the hero, but how you enjoy it is entirely up to you.

This is part of what makes pistachio so exciting. It’s not just a trend, it’s a canvas. Across cultures and continents, it has evolved and adapted, from Turkish delights to Italian gelato to Dubai’s chocolate-drenched creations. For us, it would feel wrong to box pistachio into one fixed identity when its strength lies in versatility. That’s why our recipes are constantly evolving. Even if customers don’t notice, we’re always testing, tweaking, and refining to make sure pistachio stays fresh and unforgettable at Drizzl’d.

When people ask, “When did the pistachio craze start?” the answer is layered, much like the flavour itself. It started centuries ago in Persian kitchens. It gained momentum in Mediterranean markets. It exploded on the streets of Dubai with chocolate-drizzled croissants. And now, here in Melbourne, the craze is finding new life in places like Drizzl’d where pistachio isn’t just another topping, but a flavour we’ve reimagined for today’s dessert lovers.

If you’ve been searching for the best pistachio desserts in Melbourne, or wondering where to try the latest pistachio flavours, you don’t have to look far. Our new menu is waiting, with pistachio creations you can enjoy your way.

The craze may have started centuries ago, but at Drizzl’d, it feels like it’s only just beginning.

Because yeah, you deserve it.