If the terms seasoned brine and pickling liquid aren’t common language in your household, then you’ve probably never made pickles before. However, whether you’re new to the world of pickles, or are a regular consumer, there are plenty of varieties to sink your teeth into.
How many types of pickles are there?
There are pickle varieties all over the world, so it has hard to narrow down just how many there are. However, we’ve found 10 of the most popular.
Popular Types of Pickles
Sweet Pickles
Pickles are often thought of as a savory, tangy food but there are some varieties that have a bit of sweetness to them.
To make sweet pickles, add sugar and sweet spices, such as cinnamon to the vinegar brine. You can also add onion and mustard seed.
Candied Pickles
Yes, you can have extra-sweet pickles. It only takes a few extra steps to make these unique treats.
Start by slicing your pickles lengthwise. Then, coat them with sugar, cider vinegar, and spices, with a very heavy emphasis on the sugar.
The high sugar content makes candied pickles a great snack all on their own.
Bread and Butter Pickles
These pickles got their name during the Great Depression. When there was nothing else to eat, people would put pickles into their bread and butter sandwiches for lunch.
To make bread and butter pickles, start with a sweet pickle brine that includes sugar and sweet spices. You should also add coriander and celery seeds to make them a bit tangier. They are also always sliced before canned, usually in a crinkle-cut.
Bread and butter pickles are, of course, best used in sandwiches.
Cinnamon Pickles
If you’re looking for a new Christmas treat, cinnamon pickles may be the winner. The cinnamon actually turns them red, making them a delight at Yuletide.
Once you have prepared your cucumbers, you need to make a syrup from vinegar, water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and red food coloring. Oh, and you also need red hot cinnamon candies.
Cinnamon pickles are a perfect Christmas treat that will be a real conversation starter.
Hungarian Pickles
These distinct pickles are an extremely popular side dish in Hungary. During summer, instead of pickling cucumbers, they are fermented.
This process includes the same basic ingredients, cucumbers, salt, vinegar, dill, and spices. But, you simply leave the pickles in a jar either outside in the sun or in a sunny window.
It takes about 5 days to ferment pickles and the result is a crispy and salty snack.
Lime Pickle
Before you go out and purchase cucumbers for this variety, take a closer look. You’re actually pickling limes.
The term pickling refers to putting anything into vinegar which then alters the taste and texture of it. While turning cucumbers into pickles is the most common, you can pickle many other foods.
Lime pickles have a very spicy taste to them and their Indian origin makes them a great, international culinary experience.
Lime pickles are best with Indian flatbeds and rice dishes.
Dill Pickles
Pickles are brined in vinegar with herbs and spices. The most common herb is dill. When at your local grocery store, you will always be able to find dill pickles.
Polish and German Pickles
For a spicier option of dill pickles, you could try Polish and German pickles. While they were traditionally brined in wooden barrels, you can now find them in glass jars.
In addition to the vinegar brine, these pickles will have spices such as mustard seed and black pepper.
Polish and German pickles are best served as an accompaniment to perogies or sausages.
Kosher Dill Pickles
To make Kosher dill pickles, you will need to work with Kosher salt. The brine also includes garlic.
You will often find Kosher dill pickles at typical New York delis but you can absolutely make them at home yourself.
Kosher dill pickles are best enjoyed on their own as a snack, or paired with another deli classic, the pastrami sandwich.
Overnight Dill Pickles
While most pickles need to be preserved via a canning method for at least a few weeks to get their taste, you can cheat the process if you really don’t want to wait.
These pickles get their name because you can enjoy them after waiting for just one night. Cover your cucumbers with vinegar and then place the whole bowl in the refrigerator for 24 to 36 hours.
You won’t get the true pickle taste, but it will satisfy some cravings.
Genuine Dill Pickle
As their name implies, this is the genuine deal when it comes to dill pickles. Think back to your childhood and these were probably the pickles your grandmother made.
Genuine dill pickles are relatively simple to make. Start with pickling cucumbers. Add dill weed and dill seed to the vinegar brine.
Genuine dill pickles are perfect when sliced thickly or thinly for a sandwich. Or, if you just want to snack on a whole pickle.
Gherkin Pickles
Gherkin pickles refer to the type of cucumber used, and not to the flavor. They are small cucumbers, no more than 3 inches in length.
However, you can treat gherkin pickles as any type of pickle and use whichever flavoring you would like.
Cornichons
If you travel to France and ask for a gherkin pickle, you will get confused looks. Ask for a cornichon and they will suddenly understand.
Measuring just 1 ½ inches long, cornichons are actually un-ripe gherkins.
Cornichons are best enjoyed with sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs.
What are the best kind of pickles?
Like so many types of food, it’s hard to pick what is the best kind. You can’t go wrong with the classic dill pickle. However, cinnamon pickles, with their sweet and hot taste, may be a sensation you’d love to try.
Conclusion
To make pickles you need cucumbers, pickling spices, and plenty of vinegar. From there you can decide if you want a hot and sweet combination or a full sour result. There are so many types of pickles to choose from, and they are great for year-round uses.
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