The free encyclopedia Wikipedia explains that pickles are a way of preserving food using vinegar and/or brine. Usually what is made is cucumber, but also chili, onion, tomato, and so on. Pickles are served as a side dish, eaten with the main course. Different regions of the world have their own types of pickles.
Over the years, pickles have been homemade and sold locally – often accompanied by cultural heritage and legendary folklore. In Indonesia itself, pickles may only serve as a complementary menu dish, such as satay, gule, fried rice, cap jay, wonton noodles, and others, so that they are almost invisible, as if marginalized.
Pickles Have It’s Own Origin
The history of pickles is actually very old, much older than coffee. The history of pickles stretches back to ancient times and, while there is no exact date to pinpoint their origins, it is estimated that the history of pickles goes back more than 4,000 years. According to the New York Food Museum, pickles were revered by some pretty awesome historical figures. Some facts and history related to pickles, for example, that cucumbers or cucumbers or also cucumbers (cucumber) are the basic ingredients for making pickles are mentioned at least twice in the Bible (Numbers and We Isaiah). History records the use of cucumbers more than 3,000 years ago in West Asia, Ancient Egypt, and Greece. In 2030 BC, the cucumber – which incidentally is a fruit native to India – was brought to the Tigris Valley. It was there for the first time that cucumbers were preserved and eaten as pickles.
Aristotle, the teacher of “the Great Alexander” praised the healing power of preserved cucumbers. Cleopatra attributed some of her beauty to pickles. Some scientists believe that Cleopatra used watermelons soaked in spiced water (instead of pickled cucumbers) in the spiced vinegar mixture as we know it today – it doesn’t matter, it’s still pickled after all. The Roman emperor Tiberius ate pickles every day. Likewise, Julius Caesar, considered pickles to have a refreshing and health-enhancing effect, and therefore, he shared them with his army. As a result, it is not surprising that in the end the joy of pickles spread throughout Europe.
Queen Elizabeth also loves pickles. And Napoleon Bonaparte valued pickles as a health asset to his armies, to the point that he offered a $250,000 reward for anyone who could develop a way to safely preserve food. Meanwhile, the person who won the prize in 1809 was a candy seller named Nicholas Appert -and he was the first to trade pickles in bottles.
Pickles Name is Patented, How is the Chronology?
A fondness for pickles became a national feature of Americans. Something that fits the American name. Especially since Amerigo Vespucci is actually a traveling pickle dealer in Seville, Spain. He supplied pickles to ships to prevent sailors from scurvy during long voyages. If Columbus prides himself on discovering the Americas, then Vespucci seems to have better public relations skills, all the more so because America’s de facto name follows his name. This country later became the United States of America (USA), not “Columbus United” or even “Vespucci United”. And, it may be better.
George Washington, the first US President, was a pickle fan. Also John Adams and Dolly Madison. Pickles had inspired Thomas Jeferson to write the following: “On a hot Virginia day, I can’t think of anything more delightful than a delicious spiced pickle, picked from a flavorful bottle under the steps of Aunt Sally’s barn.”
Many celebrities today are big fans of pickles. Actor Bill Cosby, actress Fran Drescher (The Nanny), former New York Mayor Ed Koch, and Curtis Silwa, founder of Guardian Angel are some of the famous names rumored to be pickles experts. Even Elvis Presley likes to eat fried pickles.
Now, annually, about 2.7 billion tons of pickles of various kinds are eaten in the United States. That equates to 9 pounds (4.1 kg) per person every year! How about you? Hopefully it’s useful, especially for those who like to cook and happy pickles for those who like it!