History is riddled with references to cooling, sweet, tart, and crunchy pickles. They make an appearance in historical documents as well as literature and seem to be a favorite of both the wealthy and poor alike. But what exactly is pickling and how did it gain such notoriety?

The history of pickling and pickling spices is long and varied and literally spans thousands of years. This ancient tradition was born of the need to preserve food and is still used today to help flavor a variety of produce to whet your appetite. Read on to explore the history of this simple process that dishes up amazing flavor for your enjoyment.

What is Pickling?

Jars of pickled vegetables and fruits in the garden. Marinated food.
Jars of pickled vegetables and fruits in the garden. Marinated food.

The word, pickling, is not as old as the process itself and comes from the Dutch and German words pekel or pokel, respectively, that means to salt or brine. Since this is an important part of the preservation process it serves as a good representation of what, exactly, is going on.

Pickling is the process of preservation. It involves soaking food, usually vegetables, in a liquid solution to inhibit the growth of bacteria and essentially allowing the produce to last for months (or even years) for safe consumption. The process creates a salty-sour taste that is popular world-round.

Technically, picking can be done in a few different ways. One, soaking the produce in vinegar, a strongly acidic solution, destroys bacteria and inhibits spoilage and rotting caused by bacteria. Food can also be soaked in a saltwater brine where they lacto-ferment, which means the natural sugars found in the food turns to lactic acid through a ‘good’ bacterial growth process. You can also combine the process.

Pickling Spices

Time to pickled. to keep long time. Pickled cucumbers in glass jar with clock, herbs and dill spices, on a fabric linen background.

Along with the vinegar and salt, various spices and sugars can be added to the process to change the overall flavor of the product pickled. Each region of the world favors various products as well as flavors, to complement the sour taste created by the pickling process.

These spices are also full of various vitamins and nutrients that are excellent for your body.

Favored pickling spices include (but are not limited to):

Allspice

Mustard Seed

Coriander

Cinnamon

Black Pepper

Chili Peppers

Bay Leaves

Caraway

Cardamom

Sliced fermented cucumbers in a glass jar stand on a wooden board. Red hot pepper, garlic, salt in a wooden spoon and a yellow tablecloth on a light gray background
Sliced fermented cucumbers in a glass jar stand on a wooden board. Red hot pepper, garlic, salt in a wooden spoon and a yellow tablecloth on a light gray background

Celery Seed

Cloves

Dill

Fenugreek

Fennel

Garlic

Ginger

Juniper

Nutmeg

Mace

Turmeric

What Can be Pickled?

Pickled vegetables in mason jars ready for winter
Pickled vegetables in mason jars ready for winter

Although most people think of pickles, picked cucumbers, when they hear the word pickling, there are many other things that can be pickled as well. In fact, most fruits and vegetables are awesome options for pickling with favorites being carrots, mushrooms, watermelon, peppers, cauliflower, onions, peaches, strawberries, rhubarb, beets, green beans, and cherries...to name only a few!

But don’t limit yourself to just garden produce. You can easily pickle other foodstuffs. Pickled eggs and meats are very popular, with pork and beef being a common option due to the tenderness the process lends to the meat.

History of Pickling

The history of pickling truly is ancient with documentation of pickling occurring as far back as 2400 BC in ancient Mesopotamia. Evidence suggests that cucumbers were traded from their native India into the fertile Tigris River Valley to grow and store as pickles. From there, the practice of pickling spread throughout the Mediterranean and into Northern Europe where it made its way across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus.

Throughout the entire time, cucumbers and pickling processes were making their way across Asia and Europe, various spices were as well. Dill, for example, was used as early as 900 AD from trade with Sumatra as part of the pickling process.

Pickling and Traveling

The Amerigo Vespucci is a tall ship of Italy Navy

Before Amerigo Vespucci was a famous explorer, he sold pickles in Spain. He was a supplier to many ships setting sail of foodstuffs and was considered an expert in food preservation. By the time he set sail himself, he was well versed in the health benefits of the process and brought the idea with him into the New World, which consequently was eventually named after him.

Pickled foods were found in abundance with travelers and sea-going explorers since keeping food fresh was always a challenge during long voyages. Pickling allowed sailors in particular to avoid nutrient deficiencies from an unvaried diet and was easy to store without fear of spoilage.

By the 1600’s cucumbers were being grown and stored within the Colonies and became a popular street selling item as various spices and flavors were experimented with.

Why Are Pickles Good For Your Health?

The pickling process, and pickles in particular, are also very good for your health. The pickling process draws water from the produce leaving them packed full of vitamin and nutrient concentrations. Pickles in particular, have high concentrations of Vitamin K, A, C, potassium, and calcium.

Any fermentation type pickling process also introduces healthy gut bacteria into your system.

There also is a high level of antioxidants and electrolytes found in many produce and pickling solutions, allowing their consumption- and in many cases, the drinking of the pickling juice, help ease muscle cramps and fight disease.

Fun Pickling Facts

 

History is riddled with references to pickles and because of it, there are quite a few fun facts worth knowing. For example, did you know that Queen Cleopatra believed pickles allowed her to look youthful and attributed them to her good health? A few other things worth knowing are:

  • Aristotle believed pickles could heal
  • Roman Generals fed them to their troops to make them strong physically and spiritually
  • Christopher Columbus grew cucumbers in Haiti to make pickles for his voyages back to Europe
  • Queen Elizabeth loved to snack on pickles
  • Shakespeare uses pickles in his plays as a metaphor
  • The pickle industry in American was born during the 17th Century when Dutch farmers sold their abundant cucumber crops to pickle dealers.
  • Kosher Dill pickles were introduced to America by Eastern European Jews in the late 19th Century.
  • Napoleon offered a monetary reward to anyone who could best pickle and preserve food for his troops.
  • November 14th is National Pickle Day
  • Michigan and North Carolina make the most pickles
  • Americans eat more than 9 pounds of pickles annually

Tips for Pickling Your Own Food

Pickling cucumbers, pickling - hands close-up, cucumber, herbs, spices, salt, hohloma, Russian style. Recipes, step execution. Harvesting vegetables in store.
Pickling cucumbers, pickling - hands close-up, cucumber, herbs, spices, salt, hohloma, Russian style. Recipes, step execution. Harvesting vegetables in store.

If you plan on pickling anything, be sure to follow these general tips to ensure a great batch!

  • Pickling is best when food is fresh-picked
  • Clean produce well and remove blossom ends of produce to ensure a crisp taste
  • Use canning or pickling salt (avoid iodized table salt).
  • Use vinegar with a 5% acidity
  • Herbs and spices will change the flavor of your pickling. Pick and choose your own taste.
  • To make a crispier pickle, pour salt over your cucumbers after picking. Then place it in a cool place for 12 hours. Pour out the liquid, rinse and dry before pickling.
  • Always measure your ingredients carefully so you don’t run out of brine!

Conclusion

Hopefully, this has been an informative article for culinary lovers. Pickling has an extensive history of use and although cucumbers make the famous pickles we know and love, don’t be afraid to apply the technique to a wide variety of other foodstuffs. We’d love to hear what your favorite pickling recipe entails, and share it to your next barbeque party.

And, as always, please share!