Some folks love ‘em and some folks hate ‘em but there’s no doubt that pickles can add an extra dimension to meals and they can be super tasty on their own too.
We think that there’s a pickle for everyone given the enormous number of different types of pickles and once you’ve seen them all, we’re sure that you’ll agree with us too.
Polish Pickles
A Polish pickle is like a regular pickle but going very heavy on the Dill.
Given that Dill has a really powerful flavor, you might want to work up to trying Polish pickles and start your journey into pickles with something a bit milder.
Candied Pickles
You don’t need to opt for sour pickles, you can have sweet, candied ones, instead.
The flavors of this type of pickle can vary wildly, so, if you try one and don’t like it, don’t be scared to try a different one at a later date.
Cornichons
A Cornichon is, basically, a gherkin pickle.
The cornichon should be about the length of your little finger and no, you don’t eat the stem.
Gherkin Pickles
Cornichons but in North America, basically.
Gherkin is not a standard cucumber and their short length allows them to be easily canned or tinned.
They taste an awful lot like a basic dill pickle.
Cinnamon Pickles
These holiday treats are sweet like candied pickles but have the red glow of cinnamon and a little cinnamon burn about them too.
Lime Pickles
These are pickles for people who hate cucumbers because they’re made from lime rather than cucumber.
They have a very strong, sour flavor and are often combined with hot spicy ingredients.
Kool-Aid Pickles
Another sweet pickle that is soaked in Kool-Aid, so they are the color of the Kool-Aid used in pickling.
These are an incredibly sweet form of pickle.
Sour Pickles
Oddly, these very sour pickles don’t always use a vinegar-brine solution in their production, instead, they rely on pickling salt and spice.
There is nothing sweet about a sour pickle at all, though, as all sugar is consumed in their product.
Hungarian Pickles
If there’s bread at the top and bottom of the jar? It’s a Hungarian Pickle, the yeast in the bread accelerates fermentation in the pickles.
They tend to have a lot of Dill and Garlic in them too and can be a bit strong for a first time consumer of pickles.
Bread And Butter Pickles
These pickles really stand out because not only are they sweet, but they’re also salty and that makes them super easy to eat with other things.
We like to eat them with fried food as they help to minimize the greasiness of the fried food.
Refrigerator Pickles
A refrigerator pickle is one that you make at home, it’s very fast to make this kind of pickle and it’s basically cucumber in vinegar.
It’s not “cheating” either; many Delis make their own pickles like this.
There’s just one thing you should know – eat them 48 hours after making them, they don’t last long.
Sweet Pickles
As the name suggests these pickles are all about the sweetness, they’re made just like any ordinary pickle, though, and soak in vinegar.
But a lot of sweet ingredients are then added to that vinegar and they will give the pickle its final flavor.
Full Sour Kosher Dill Pickles
These pickles are heavy on the Dill and heavy on the sour. They’re also 100% kosher, which is important if you are practicing Jewish person.
However, they are very much an acquired taste and most people will not enjoy these pickles as their first ever pickle – work your way up to them.
Half Sour Kosher Dill Pickles
And a good way to work towards those Full Sour Kosher Dill Pickles is to begin with the Half Sour variants which are made in the same way but for less time.
This means that both the dill and sour flavors are milder and easier to handle when you get your first bite.
The Traditional Dill Pickle
And we end, with the granddaddy of the pickle world, the traditional dill pickle, it’s where all other pickles draw their inspiration from.
There’s a delicate balance of dill seeds and cucumbers used to create these wonderful accompaniments to a sandwich.
And they’re the perfect starting point if you’ve never had a pickle before. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts On Pickle Types
Who would have thought there would be so many different types of pickles?
The good news is that it means that you now have a huge list of pickles to try!
Want to learn more about pickles? Check out Vegetarian Chinese Soul Food and Home Canning And Preserving.
Just want to find something to eat with the pickles you already have? Then some children have the answer for you.
