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Pickle vs. Gherkin: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A pickle is any vegetable or fruit preserved in vinegar or brine, while a gherkin specifically refers to a small variety of cucumber that is pickled.
Pickle vs. Gherkin

Key Differences

Pickle is a general term for fruits or vegetables preserved in an acidic medium or fermentation. Gherkins are specifically small cucumbers, often pickled with dill and other spices, making them a specific type of pickle.
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Pickles can be made from various vegetables or fruits like cucumbers, peppers, or onions. Gherkins are made exclusively from small cucumber varieties, known for their crisp texture.
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Pickles have a wide range of flavors depending on the ingredients and pickling process. Gherkins typically have a distinct, often tangy and slightly sweet flavor, influenced by the spices used in pickling.
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The term "pickle" varies regionally, often referring to pickled cucumbers in North America. Gherkins are more specifically associated with European cuisine, particularly in areas like the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe.
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Nov 20, 2023
Pickles are used in diverse cuisines worldwide, often as a condiment, side dish, or flavor enhancer. Gherkins are popular in sandwiches, as appetizers, or in salads, noted for their small size and distinct flavor.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Preserved fruit or vegetable in vinegar/brine
A small, pickled cucumber variety
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Ingredients

Various fruits and vegetables
Specific small cucumber types
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Flavor

Varies widely
Tangy, often slightly sweet with spices
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Cultural Association

Global, varies by region
Strongly associated with European cuisine
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Usage

Condiments, side dishes, flavoring
Often used in sandwiches, salads, appetizers
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Pickle and Gherkin Definitions

Pickle

A pickle is a vegetable or fruit preserved in vinegar or brine.
She added a slice of dill pickle to her sandwich.
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Nov 16, 2023

Gherkin

Gherkins are known for their crisp texture and tangy taste.
She enjoyed the crispness of the gherkin in her salad.
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Nov 16, 2023

Pickle

Pickles can be made using various preservation methods.
He preferred homemade pickles for their freshness.
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Nov 16, 2023

Gherkin

They are often pickled with a mix of vinegar, dill, and spices.
The gherkin's flavor was enhanced by the dill and spices.
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Pickle

The pickling process involves fermenting in an acidic medium.
The pickles were left to ferment for two weeks.
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Gherkin

A gherkin is a small, pickled cucumber, often with dill.
He topped his burger with a few slices of gherkin.
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Nov 16, 2023

Pickle

An edible product, such as a cucumber, that has been preserved and flavored in a solution of brine or vinegar.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

Gherkins are typically smaller than regular pickled cucumbers.
The small gherkins were perfect for her appetizer tray.
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Nov 16, 2023

Pickle

A solution of brine or vinegar, often spiced, for preserving and flavoring food.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

Gherkins are a popular ingredient in European cuisine.
Gherkin is a staple in many traditional European dishes.
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Nov 16, 2023

Pickle

A chemical solution, such as an acid, that is used as a bath to remove scale and oxides from the surface of metals before plating or finishing.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

A small cucumber, especially one used for pickling.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(Informal) A disagreeable or troublesome situation; a plight.
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Gherkin

A pickle made from such a fruit.
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Pickle

(Baseball) A rundown.
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Gherkin

A vine (Cucumis anguria) native to Africa and widely cultivated especially in the West Indies, having prickly fruit often harvested when immature for pickling.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

To preserve or flavor (food) in a solution of brine or vinegar.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

The fruit of this plant.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

To treat (metal) in a chemical bath.
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Gherkin

A small cucumber, often pickled whole.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

A cucumber preserved in a solution, usually a brine or a vinegar syrup.
A pickle goes well with a hamburger.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

(slang) The penis.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

Any vegetable preserved in vinegar and consumed as relish.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

A kind of small, prickly cucumber, much used for pickles.
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Pickle

A sweet, vinegary pickled chutney popular in Britain.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

See Sea gherkin.
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Pickle

The brine used for preserving food.
This tub is filled with the pickle that we will put the small cucumbers into.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

Any of various small cucumbers pickled whole
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(informal) A difficult situation; peril.
The climber found himself in a pickle when one of the rocks broke off.
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Oct 19, 2023

Gherkin

Small prickly cucumber
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Pickle

(affectionate) A mildly mischievous loved one.
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Pickle

(baseball) A rundown.
Jones was caught in a pickle between second and third.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(uncountable) A children’s game with three participants that emulates a baseball rundown
The boys played pickle in the front yard for an hour.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(slang) A penis.
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Pickle

(slang) A pipe for smoking methamphetamine.
Load some shards in that pickle.
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Pickle

(metalworking) A bath of dilute sulphuric or nitric acid, etc., to remove burnt sand, scale, rust, etc., from the surface of castings, or other articles of metal, or to brighten them or improve their colour.
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Pickle

In an optical landing system, the hand-held controller connected to the lens, or apparatus on which the lights are mounted.
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Pickle

A kernel; a grain (of salt, sugar, etc.)
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

A small or indefinite quantity or amount (of something); a little, a bit, a few. Usually in partitive construction, frequently without "of"; a single grain or kernel of wheat, barley, oats, sand or dust.
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Pickle

To preserve food (or sometimes other things) in a salt, sugar or vinegar solution.
We pickled the remainder of the crop.
These cucumbers pickle very well.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(transitive) To remove high-temperature scale and oxidation from metal with heated (often sulphuric) industrial acid.
The crew will pickle the fittings in the morning.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

To serialize.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

(historical) To pour brine over a person after flogging them, as a method of punishment.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

To eat sparingly.
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Pickle

To pilfer.
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Pickle

See Picle.
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Pickle

A solution of salt and water, in which fish, meat, etc., may be preserved or corned; brine.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

Any article of food which has been preserved in brine or in vinegar.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

A bath of dilute sulphuric or nitric acid, etc., to remove burnt sand, scale rust, etc., from the surface of castings, or other articles of metal, or to brighten them or improve their color.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

A troublesome child; as, a little pickle.
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Oct 19, 2023

Pickle

To preserve or season in pickle; to treat with some kind of pickle; as, to pickle herrings or cucumbers.
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Pickle

To give an antique appearance to; - said of copies or imitations of paintings by the old masters.
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Pickle

Vegetables (especially cucumbers) preserved in brine or vinegar
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Pickle

Informal terms for a difficult situation;
He got into a terrible fix
He made a muddle of his marriage
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Pickle

Preserve in a pickling liquid
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Pickle

Pickles often accompany meals as a flavorful condiment.
They served pickles alongside the barbecue.
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Nov 16, 2023

Pickle

Pickles come in many varieties, including sweet and sour.
Sweet pickles were her favorite addition to salads.
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Nov 16, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

What is a gherkin?

A gherkin is a small, pickled variety of cucumber.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can any vegetable be pickled?

Yes, various vegetables can be pickled, not just cucumbers.
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Nov 20, 2023

What is a pickle?

A pickle is a preserved fruit or vegetable in vinegar or brine.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023

Are gherkins always made with dill?

While dill is common, gherkins can also be pickled with other spices.
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Nov 20, 2023

How long do pickles last?

Properly stored, pickles can last several months to a year.
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Nov 20, 2023

Are gherkins used in cooking?

Gherkins are mainly used as a condiment or in salads and sandwiches.
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Nov 20, 2023

Do gherkins have a different texture from other pickles?

Gherkins are often crispier due to their small size and specific cucumber type.
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Nov 20, 2023

How are gherkins different in taste from regular pickles?

Gherkins often have a distinct tangy and sometimes sweet flavor.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can pickling preserve food for long-term storage?

Yes, pickling is an effective method for preserving food.
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Nov 20, 2023

Are pickles considered a healthy snack?

Pickles can be healthy in moderation but are high in sodium.
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Nov 20, 2023

What is the most common pickle variety?

In North America, the most common variety is the pickled cucumber.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is there a difference in the nutritional value of pickles and gherkins?

The nutritional value is similar, but it can vary based on the pickling ingredients.
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Nov 20, 2023

Can gherkins be eaten raw?

Gherkins are typically eaten pickled rather than raw.
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Nov 20, 2023

Are gherkins the same as mini cucumbers?

No, gherkins are a specific small cucumber variety, not just any mini cucumber.
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Nov 20, 2023

Is pickling a form of fermentation?

Yes, pickling can involve fermentation, especially in brine pickles.
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Nov 20, 2023

What are the health benefits of pickles?

Pickles can provide probiotics and vitamins, but are often high in sodium.
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Nov 20, 2023

Are sweet gherkins a thing?

Yes, sweet gherkins, pickled with sugar and vinegar, are also popular.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023

Can pickles be spicy?

Yes, spices can be added to create spicy pickles.
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Nov 20, 2023

Are pickles popular worldwide?

Yes, pickles are a popular food item in many cultures around the world.
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Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023

Do pickles and gherkins have the same shelf life?

Their shelf life is similar, depending on the pickling method and storage conditions.
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Nov 20, 2023

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Shumaila Saeed
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Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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