A POLL of 2,000 adults found the soft green hue beat rivals such as sage green, chocolate brown, and butter yellow to top the list of shades which best reflect the mood of the year so far.
More than six in 10 (62 per cent) claimed to have noticed the popular shade appearing more and more in their daily lives, from food and drink to fashion, interiors and social media posts.
The Galexy S26 FE is available in pistachio Credit: Simon Jacobs / SWNS
Almost half of people say colours transport them back to a certain time Credit: Simon Jacobs / SWNS
The pistachio effect appears to be strongest among the younger generations, as 89 per cent of Gen Z and 77 per cent of Millennials have noticed the colour appearing more frequently in 2026.
This compares to just 42 per cent of over 60s who have picked up on this phenomenon.
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The research was commissioned by Samsung to coincide with the launch of the Galaxy S26 FE, which is available in pistachio, blueberry and graphite.
Colour trends also appear to influence taste and behaviour, as 66 per cent of Gen Z and 55 per cent of Millennials have found themselves liking a shade more after seeing it repeatedly in fashion.
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Again, this compared to a much lower number of over 60s, just 15 per cent.
It also emerged colours can act as an instant time machine, with 46 per cent saying certain hues can transport them back to a specific stage in their lives.
Annika Bizon, from the tech firm, said: “Colour has an incredible ability to capture a moment.
“We remember the shades of the clothes we wore, the interiors we loved and even the technology we carried, and together they become part of how we picture an era.”
The study also found colour has a surprisingly powerful ability to date our memories, as 28 per cent said a particular colour reminds them of their childhood.
While 23 per cent associate certain hues with their teenage years and 50 per cent say shades can bring back memories of a particular decade.
Others are transported back by colours associated with fashion trends (28 per cent), food and drink (23 per cent), films and television (17 per cent), or technology (10 per cent).
Some shades have become so synonymous with their moment that they now risk instantly dating whatever they appear on, according to 63 per cent.
Avocado green was named the colour most likely to make something look like it belongs to another era, followed by mustard yellow, chocolate brown, and burnt orange.
The importance of colour is especially clear in technology, as 61 per cent believe an unusual colour makes a tech product stand out.
While 52 per cent think the right colour can make technology feel more fashionable and 51 per cent said it can make a tech product feel more personal.
Younger adults are even more likely to see device colour as part of their identity, with 61 per cent of Gen Z and 57 per cent of Millennials seeing this as part of their personal style, compared with just 20 per cent of over 60s.
Annika Bizon, from Samsung UK & Ireland, whose new Galaxy S26 FE features enhanced camera capabilities and AI-powered tools including My FanCam, Horizontal Lock and Photo Assist, added: “Pistachio feels particularly right for 2026 because we’re seeing this fresh, expressive shade move beyond one trend or category and into so many different parts of culture, from food and fashion to interiors and design.
“Technology is increasingly an extension of personal style too.
“We carry our phones everywhere, so people understandably want a device that doesn’t just perform brilliantly but feels personal to them.”
TOP 10 COLOURS THAT REPRESENT THE MOOD OF 2026:
Pistachio green
Sage green
Chocolate brown
Beige/cream
butter yellow
Cobalt blue
Burgundy
Cherry/tomato red
Jade green
Orange
