Sweet pickles and gherkins are just two pickled foods that make for a great side snack. We will dive into the specifics of sweet pickles and gherkins, and just what exactly is the difference between them.
Both sweet pickles and gherkins are varieties of pickled cucumbers; however, a Gherkin can be a pickle while a pickle is not always a gherkin. Gherkins are all about the pickle’s specific size and variety, while sweet pickles focus on the sweet flavor that comes from the pickling process.
Sweet pickles and gherkins can both be made in a variety of ways, and while they are both pickles, gherkins are much more specified.
What is the Difference Between a Sweet Pickle and a Gherkin?
The difference between a gherkin and a sweet pickle is honestly pretty simple.
A gherkin is pretty much just a specific variety and sized cucumber that has been pickled. On the other hand, sweet pickles are less specific when it comes to size and more so when it comes to taste.
Gherkins are about three inches long, they are a smaller variety of pickle that is quite common, and you can find them in most grocery stores. When it comes to sweet pickles, it’s all about the flavor you get from the pickling process, and hence the name.
You want those pickles to be sweet!
While gherkins and sweet pickles both are varieties of pickles, they aren’t necessarily the same thing.
A Gherkin by Any Other Name
Gherkins aren’t your average pickle because they are a smaller variety of pickles. They have an added crunch, which is what a lot of people love about gherkins.
Sweet pickles aren’t so specific on their size as they are on the pickling process itself.
Sweet Pickles Are, Well, Sweet
Sweet pickles, on the other hand, are simply pickles that have ingredients such as mustard, bay leaves, and sweet onions to give them a sweeter flavor once they have finished the pickling process. The thing about pickles is that they are incredibly customizable, which really allows you to make whatever kind of picks you want.
In short, gherkins are all about the cucumber’s size, while sweet pickles are about flavor.
So, What is a Gherkin?
Gherkins are commonly mistaken for being just normal pickles; however, they are a bit more complex than that.
Gherkins are a very specific size of a cucumber. They are usually the smallest ones you can find in your garden; 1-3 inches is the most preferred size.
Gherkins are a smaller size to give them the texture that so many want in a pickle.
Gherkins are loved by many because of the crunch. When you think about it, is there anything like a hamburger with a pickle to give the meal a bit of added crunch and texture?
Why Are Gherkins So Crunchy?
So you might be wondering, why are gherkins crunchier than the average pickle?
Good gherkins have such a good crunch to them because a lot of recipes call for you to soak the cucumbers in a saltwater brine, preferably overnight. This keeps the gherkins crisp during pickling.
If you are interested in making your own gherkins, there are many available recipes online, and it’s fairly simple, although if you want them immediately, it would be best to run to the store.
Home pickled gherkins are best if you let them ferment in the vinegar for at least two weeks.
What is a Sweet Pickle?
Sweet pickles aren’t so much specific to size as gherkins are. However, they have a lot to do with the recipe.
Sweet pickles are often made with ingredients such as sweet onion, and most importantly, sugar. The sugar combined with the vinegar creates a flavor that really complements the cucumber during the pickling process.
As in the name, sweet pickles are, well, sweet.
Sugar is key in this process to bring out that sweet flavor in the cucumbers while they’re picking.
Adding in the sweet onion really enhances the sweet, yet savory, flavors both the pickle and onion have to offer.
Gherkins Are Served Differently Than Sweet Pickles
Another difference between sweet pickles and gherkins is that sweet pickles are commonly sliced before being pickled while gherkins are served whole.
There’s really no specific reasoning for this. It’s just how people like their pickles.
Pickling Differences: Sweet Pickles and Gherkins
Pickles are a very dynamic snack, especially because they are so easy to make and customize yourself.
There is a lot of variety in both sweet pickles and gherkins, and it comes down to the pickling process.
The basis for pickling vegetables is vinegar, but many recipes are available that use various spices and additives from which you can choose to customize your pickles.
Most commonly, dill is used to create dill pickles, and in our case, sugar for sweet pickles.
Technically, you could combine a sweet pickle and a gherkin to make sweet gherkins.
You would simply have to add sugar and/or sweet onions into the pickling process! Who knows, you could be a culinary genius.
Do They Taste Different?
Both sweet pickles and gherkins, while very different, rely a lot on their flavor and crunch for their appeal.
Sweet pickles are meant to have a specific flavor, as are gherkins, but in a completely different way.
When pickling a gherkin, you want to add some spices.
It’s quite common to want to go for a less potent flavor and use spices such as allspice or peppercorn. While the flavor is important in a gherkin, the focus is more on the texture and crunch.
As far as the sweet pickle goes, the texture isn’t as much key as the flavor is.
The whole point of the sweet pickle is for the pickle to have a sweet yet savory flavor. When it comes to texture, you can manipulate this based on how you decide to cut your cucumbers when you pickle them.
So, to answer the question do pickles and gherkins taste different, yes and no.
If you are making them yourself, you can really make them taste however you want to.
If you choose to buy your pickles and gherkins, your options will be limited when it comes to customizing your pickles.
Where to Get Gherkins and Sweet Pickles
If you’re looking to buy your own gherkins or sweet pickles, they are actually very accessible at most grocery stores.
Surprisingly, there is also a lot of variety when it comes to both sweet pickles and gherkins.
Something really interesting is how many flavors they offer at the store. Some stores actually have sweet gherkins! When it comes to sweet pickles, you can get:
- Spicy ones
- Sweet ones
- Sweet and spicy ones, etc.
There is also a lot of diversity when it comes to the size and shape of the sweet pickles you want to find.
Heres some varieties of sweet pickle shapes we found:
- Chips
- Chunks
- Lengthwise slices
- Cubes
- Spears
It may seem a bit odd that some people like their pickles in cube form, but to each their own.
Conclusion
Overall, sweet pickles and gherkins are most noticeably different when it comes to the pickles’ size and flavor. However, there is a lot of variety in both sweet pickles and gherkins.
The best thing about pickling your own cucumbers is that you get to control the flavor and truly make it your own.
If you don’t want to wait for the pickling process or simply just don’t feel like doing it, of course, you can always go to your local grocery store and pick up some gherkins or sweet pickles.