Pickle History

The History Of Pickles

Pickles can be found in all cultures. The first known examples are cucumbers, which are known to have been pickled some time around 2030 BC, when people in the northern part of India brought cucumber seeds in the valley of the Tigris.
Pickles are mentioned twice in the Bible, was known to ancient Egyptians (Cleopatra attributed some of her beauty to pickles), and Aristotle praised the healing effects of marinated cucumbers. The Romans had all sorts of imported foods from the countries they conquered, pickling them for travel in vinegar, oil, brine and sometimes honey. Garum or Liquamen, fermented, salted fish based condiment was a foodstuff and it was found as far north as the Antonine Wall.
In case, we remain too Eurocentric, Asia also has a beautiful story of pickling. For example, the origin of the noble Korean kimchi or kimchee has a history dating back to 3000 years. It probably originated from the Chinese pickles that have been introduced in Korea and have been modified to form many types of kimchi common raw materials to cater to the tastes of Koreans during the Shilla (654 - 935 AD) and Korea (918 - 1392 AD) dynasties.
Back in Europe, a pickle crossover happened when there was a sharp increase in the number of food in the 16th century due to the arrival of new foods in Europe. Ketchup is oriental fish brine which arrived through the spice route to Europe and eventually to America, where someone has finally added sugar to it. The spices were added to the pickling sauces to create clever recipes.
The English word “pickle” comes from the Middle English pikel, the first around 1400 and which means “a spicy sauce or sauce served with meat. It’s different, but obviously linked to the source of the Middle Dutch, pekel, meaning a solution, such as spiced brine, to preserve and food flavorings.These days’ pickles are very popular and are everywhere. The pickle is eaten crunchy bitter container, our hamburgers, and served with our sandwiches. It is sliced, launches, whole, diced for relish, spicy, sour and sweet.
The true history of the pickle is somewhat of a mystery. Although some believe it dates back to India 4030 years ago. The pickle has been mentioned in the Bible by Jesus and in the Old Testament books Numbers and Isaiah. Napoleon valued its health benefits for his army. George Washington had a collection of 476 different kinds of pickles. In 850 BC Aristotle praised the healing benefits of the pickle, and Thomas Jefferson wrote: “On a hot day in Virginia, I know nothing more comforting than a fine spiced pickle, brought up trout, like from the sparkling depths of the aromatic jar below the stairs of Aunt Sally’s cellar.” The crunchy tangy pickle is eaten out of jars, on our burgers, and served with our sandwiches. It is sliced, speared, whole, diced for relish, spicy, sour, and sweet. We just love the amazing, multi-talented pickle