Pickles: a food that seemingly pairs with everything. Yet they are so much more than just a topping or a side dish. Pickles are a food with a deep history and loads of personality. But, why is that? People have taken the simplicity of a cucumber, turning it into quite literally everything imaginable.

What even is a pickle?

Pickles are essentially preserved cucumbers, soaked in a mixture of water, vinegar, salt, dill, garlic, and other ingredients. That being said, there are many different kinds, shapes, and flavors of pickles. The six different shapes of pickles include chips, spears, wedges, slices, halves, and whole. The reason being different kinds of pickles are used for different foods. Small oval crinkle cut pickles are commonly placed on a hamburger, whereas one can eat long spreaded pickles on a Chicago style hot dog. Beyond shape, pickles vary in countless types of varieties, including hot, honey mustard, firecracker, southern, fried, sweet and spicy, and many more.

History:

There is always the lingering thought as to where pickles came from and why they exist. The origins of pickles trace back to when Mesopotamians began soaking cucumbers in acidic brine in order to preserve them. This was a way for soldiers to have food that was canned when on voyages. Besides having an endless shelf life, pickles have various health benefits.

They are low in calories, and high in electrolytes, vitamins A, C, K, and fiber. Interestingly, pickles are also one of the most commonly craved foods. According to Forbes, “Some other common reasons for craving pickles include dehydration, electrolyte imbalances or Addison’s disease.” This discovery was so beneficial because it sprung the idea of

pickling all different kinds of foods to preserve them. Some other foods people tend to pickle are beets, peppers, carrots, eggs, turnips, onions, cabbage, green beans, garlic, okra, radish, beans, cauliflower, pears, asparagus, ginger, jalapeños, and corn.

The “Pickle Passion”: 

There is such a divide between those who love and hate pickles. The question is, why is that? Some people hate pickles so much because of their unique characteristics. Pickles have a unique taste, texture, smell, appearance and even sound. Some dislike the strong smell of vinegar pickles. Others may dislike the taste of either pickles in general or cucumbers. You either love them or hate them, and the people who do hate them have a strong hatred against them.

Pickles have a crunchy and wet texture, while also having an offsetting center filled with seeds. Some cannot fathom the fact that pickles are crunchy as well as juicy. Most pickles have a very distinct green color, making them appealing to some. While there seems to be a flavor for everyone, not everyone can deal with the color that comes with it. When someone bites into a pickle, you can hear that amazing crunch it gives off. Such a sound causes some to be disgusted. Others even claim to have a fear of pickles, formally known as “pickle phobia”.

The Latest Trend: 

Who would have thought the latest trend would be having an obsession with pickles. Why would that be? Pickles are shown to be extremely beneficial to athletes. According to Forbes, “A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that pickle juice works better than water at reducing muscle cramps.” Pickle juice just might be the new post-practice drink.

There is also a “pickle trend” surfacing the face of social media. People are obsessing over the countless ways one can eat a pickle, and companies are starting to sell pickles kits where you can stuff a pickle with spicy chips, spices, and gummy strips, called a chamoy pickle kit. While this may seem disgusting to some, many people rave about the pickle kit, and countless athletes now are using pickles to their advantage. In the internet world, pickles have brought a community together to participate in trends by posting videos.

Compatibility: 

Beyond food trends, pickles have influenced social relationships by strengthening relationships in person, not just on the internet. The “pickle theory” suggests that when one person hates pickles, and the other loves pickles, it is thought to make that relationship more compatible, proving two people, whether just two friends or a couple, are perfect for eachother. Even though this theory seems to be a silly way for people to define their friendship, the pickle theory allows for two people to have different opinions while still being the best of friends. Not everyone needs to like the same thing to have a healthy relationship, and in most cases, it is better if they don’t.

Pickles are more than just a cucumber soaked in a brine. Pickles are thought to bring out the best in people. There are communities formed around this food, bringing people together.

From the earliest times when pickles were made to keep soldiers fed, to the pickle theory, and to all of the pickle eating trends on the internet, pickles have developed to do exactly that. In the words of a moral compass of fashion and reality television, “I love pickles — they’re my thing” said Snooki.