What are pickles good for?

calendar 7/2/20
What are pickles good for?
What are pickles good for?

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Most of us know pickles or gherkins as those sour slices on our burgers, but we can also spot them at barbecues or doled out as part of a cheese platter. Their salty, sour taste adds a fresh twist to the sweetness and greasiness of meat and cheese. But are pickles healthy for you? And what else are they good for? We found a few tips.

Are pickles healthy for you?

Pickles are a type of small cucumber, a fruit that originates from the Cucumis sativus plant. Raw pickles do not taste like anything. After they have been harvested, they are put in a saltwater bath and then into an acidic or sweet and sour mixture of vinegar, salt, spices and sugar. The result is a refreshing, juicy and tasty snack.

Pickles are relatively low in calories, so it seems like you can eat an infinite amount of them. They are a healthier snack than most other options.

Pickles are packed with a lot of vitamin K, which plays a key role in helping the blood clot. When you have a deficiency of this vitamin, even a small wound can bleed for a long time. A single pickle already supplies 15% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin K. It also contains minerals such as iodine. Overall, a pickle contains few real nutrients. Remember that they have a high salt content and often contain a lot of sodium due to brining. You will need to eat a lot of pickles to be affected by it though. Pickles remain a refreshing bite.

Pickles as a palate cleanser

sandwich on plate with pickles

In Asia, many people eat a pickle or something pickled before a meal. A sandwich order in the United States is often served with a pickle. The (sweet) acidity of the pickle acts as a kind of 'palate cleanser', which provides a better contrast of flavours and allows you to enjoy your sandwich in full with neutral taste buds. 

This custom originated in New York with the arrival of the first Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. They would serve pickles in their Jewish delis or eateries. It was not long before street vendors started selling it. Nowadays, it is a basic ingredient in many cuisines.

Pickles as taste enhancers on hamburgers and hot dogs

Sourness, saltiness, sweetness, bitterness and umami are the five basic tastes that everyone in the world can register. A meal is tastier and feels perfect and successful when all these flavours are present.

Some sourness, like a pickle, can add that extra touch to your taste experience. That is why they add the slices of pickle to your hamburger or why a hot dog comes with pickle relish or finely chopped pickles in the US.

As they are a standard side dish or taste enhancer in the Netherlands, The Dutch also call (sweet) sour pickles 'tafelzuur', which literally translates as 'table sours'. Try it out for yourself and eat a pickle with dinner.

Pickles to fight a hangover or salt cravings

It is rather useful to always have a jar of pickles in the house. If you had a bit too much fun during a night out, make sure to eat two large pickles before bed. The acid in the pickles breaks down the alcohol in your body and can help prevent a hangover.

The acid in pickles can also help stop salt cravings. Have a sudden craving for lots of salt? Then try a pickle!

Empty jar? Keep the pickle juice!

Once you have fished out all the pickles from the jar, do not throw out the pickle juice! It is a super healthy drink as it contains a lot of sodium, potassium and water. With those vital ingredients for hydration, it is a spicy thirst-quencher in hot weather or after an intensive workout. Pickle juice also contains a lot of electrolytes, which can help prevent muscle cramps or get rid of them faster.

Moreover, pickle juice contains a lot of antioxidants and vitamins C and E, which boost your immune system. Amerigo Vespucci and Colombus, for example, took barrels of pickles with them to help prevent scurvy during their long voyages.

Cocktail with pickle juice

2 shot glasses with pickles, pickle juice whiskey

Pickle juice is sometimes taken as a shot with liquor or mixed in with a cocktail. The (sweet) sour, salty juice neutralises the strong taste and the burn of the alcohol. A sip of strong whiskey is sometimes chased by a bite of a pickle.

The 'Pickleback' has become very popular. It involves drinking a shot of whiskey chased by a shot of pickle juice. People also drink it with vodka.

Cornichons or pickles are also fun to garnish your cocktail with.