To suggest that humanity would have been in a pickle without pickles would be an understatement. After all, there was little hope for lean times when food supplies couldn't be kept and had to be consumed fresh. Pickles may be traced back approximately 4 millennia to the Tigris valley in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The area's gherkin growers were reported to have discovered the potential of brine in preserving their produce throughout the lean months. Gherkins have played a significant part in assisting humanity in broadening its horizons.

How did pickles enable exploration?

The ancient Mesopotamians were enthusiastic explorers, among the world's earliest. They traveled with pickled foods such as gherkins, pork, and fish and shared their knowledge with everyone they met, from Mesopotamia to Persia, Greece, and finally to the rest of Europe. Pickling not only extends the shelf life of food but also enhances the possibilities of exploration. Pickled fruit, meat, and fish have been used throughout History. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that modern commerce is built on pickles. You may wonder how. Gherkins powered the two most influential voyages of discovery in History. So was Christopher Columbus' 1492 discovery of America. This was the start of modern trade as we know it today.

Pickle facts you may not have known

Pickles and monarchy have a long history

Pickles and royalty appear to have an unusual relationship. Pickles were so popular with Alexander the Great that he included them in his troops' meals. Cleopatra is reputed to have declared in Ptolemaic Egypt that pickled gherkins were the key to her beauty. Pickled gherkins were said to give power to warriors by great conquerors such as Julius Caesar and Napoleon Bonaparte. Bonaparte offered a reward of 12,000 francs to anyone who could improve pickle storage.

The term "pickle" has Nordic origins

The term pickle comes from the North German / Scandinavian origin 'pekel,' which means salt or brine solution.

Pickles were highly valued in the Middle East

The Mesopotamians and Persians highly valued pickles, and later the Ottomans, Bedouins, and Berbers. Pickles originated from the Mesopotamians 4400 years ago and have since become an essential part of Middle Eastern cuisine. According to legend, Saladin, the great Muslim conqueror, and Crusade hero, attributed his vitality and health to pickles.

Pickles are a fantastic delicacy that adds a punch of flavor and acidity to some of our favorite foods. Begin your pickle journey with Kalai on India Udhyog and taste the flavors of yumminess every day!