What To Know About Pickling

How did you get into the pickled drinks business?

I’ve always loved the sharp, briny taste of pickles. There’s something about the vinegary tang that makes eating them a bit of a challenge, but it’s so worth it. It was on holiday in New York that I first tried a ‘Pickleback’, a shot of whiskey followed by a shot of pickle juice. After that I was hooked and had to find a way of making pickle juice at home. I launched The Pickle House in Hackney in 2014.

Why are we all only getting into pickles now?

Pickling and shrub-making were used to preserve surplus fruit and vegetables prior to the invention of refrigerators. Pickling has been around for a long time and has been said to date way back to 2,400 BC, whereas shrubs are said to have originated in 17th-century England. Today, we’re all becoming more and more health conscious. Not only that, but waste is a huge problem so many people are now turning to ancient methods and starting to explore ways they can preserve and be sustainable, but also reap the health benefits from pickling their own vegetables. 

Are there any health benefits?

Pickles and fermented foods have been considered a health food for centuries. Not only do they help improve digestion, but they also strengthen the immune system, promote growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and curb those pesky sugar cravings. They’re low in calories and are also meant to be great for your skin and nails. Of course, the health benefits will vary depending on what you put in your pickles. If the pickles are made in the same way we make our ‘Original Pickle Juice’ then the salt and vinegar mean that it’s full of electrolytes which can help rehydrate your body with nutrients. There’s been quite a bit of press recently about athletes drinking pickle juice to help stop muscle cramps during games. We haven’t had our pickle juice scientifically tested so I can’t say it’s a miracle cure, but we’ve had a few customers sending emails about how it’s been helping them. One is an elderly lady who’s now drinking a couple of shots of our pickle juice every evening to stop her night cramps. We also use a blend of different spices – one of which is turmeric, which holds a huge host of health benefits including being a great anti-inflammatory.

What’s the difference between pickling and shrub-making?

Pickling and shrub-making are similar in that both methods are used to preserve surplus fruit and vegetables. The best way to compare them is that pickles are usually savoury and tend to use vegetables pickled in a salty, vinegary brine. Shrubs are the sweeter version, using predominantly fruits macerated in sugar to create a sweet vinegary syrup.

And how about between pickling and fermenting?

Pickling and fermenting are similar in the idea that both methods are used to naturally preserve foods and the final results have a slightly sharp, tangy flavour. The main difference is that the tangy flavour found in pickling comes from using vinegar or another acidic liquid. With fermenting, the flavour comes from a chemical reaction between the sugars found in food and naturally present bacteria. The bit that makes it slightly confusing is that some pickles can be fermented, and some fermented foods can be pickled!

Fermenting is, in its simplest form, the breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeast or other living microorganisms. When fruits or vegetables are left in an airtight container their natural bacteria begin to break down the sugars found in these foods and converts them into an acid. This process is called lacto-fermentation and is what gives fermented food its sharp flavour, while also creating probiotics, which are good for your digestion. Examples of fermented foods and drinks are kombucha, kimchi, yoghurt, sauerkraut and miso.

How long does it take for vegetables to fully pickle?

My favourite is pickled cucumbers and it’s best to leave them for two weeks – they always taste nicer the longer you leave them. They’re strong, fiery and great in salt beef bagels.

Which are the best vinegars to use?

Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural health remedy to fight coughs and colds. The ‘mother’ part, which looks like a cloudy substance that sits at the bottom of the bottle and, much like a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) in kombucha, is full of good bacteria along with acetic acid and natural protein, which is great for your health. Apple cider vinegar with the mother in is by far my favourite, mainly because you get the benefits of the good bacteria and the acidity isn’t as harsh as most other vinegars. 

And what about sugars?

When it comes to pickling and making your own shrubs,  it’s worth playing around with the different sugars and vinegars to see how they work together with different fruits or vegetables. There are all sorts of sweeteners out there nowadays. A good old-fashioned white sugar (preferably unrefined) is great for vibrant flavours; a light brown sugar adds depth of flavour; while nectars and syrups, such as agave and maple, make a good alternative. Unrefined white sugar is good as it dissolves quickly and keeps the bright colours from the fruit when making shrubs.