Top 10 Pickle Facts…
1) A pickled cucumber (commonly known as a pickle in the United States and Canada or generically as gherkins in the United Kingdom) is a cucumber that has been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or other solution and left to ferment for a period of time, by either immersing the cucumbers in an acidic solution or through souring by lacto-fermentation.
2) Pickles have been around since ancient times, although there is some disagreement as to when exactly in history people started eating them. Some believe the first pickle was created in Mesopotamia in 2400 B.C.E. Others believe it was as early as 2030 B.C.E.
3) The phrase “in a pickle” was first introduced by Shakespeare in his play, The Tempest. The quotes read, “How cam’st thou in this pickle?” and “I have been in such a pickle”
4) November 14th is National Pickle Day.
5) Cleopatra ate pickles because she believed they were one of the things that helped her stay beautiful.
6) Approximately 100,000 to 125,000 acres are devoted to growing pickling cucumbers in the United States.
7) In the U.S., pickles are made in 30 of the 50 states with Michigan and North Carolina making the most pickles.
8) Kool-Aid pickles are made by soaking dill pickles in strong Kool-Aid and are very popular in parts of Mississippi.
9) A town in Michigan that claims to be the Christmas Pickle Capital of the World holds an annual pickle parade led by the Grand Dillmeister.
10) You can hear the crunch of a good pickle at 10 paces.
and more-
According to the U.S. Supreme Court, pickles are technically a “fruit” of the vine (like tomatoes), but they are generally known as a vegetable.
We’ve been eating pickles since Christopher Columbus discovered America. Since then, the pickled cucumber has evolved into a favored snack and recipe ingredient that is available in more than 36 varieties.
During WWII the U.S. Government tagged 40 percent of all pickle production for the ration kits of the armed forces.
Americans consume more than 9 pounds of pickles per person annually
And finally- my personal favorite:
In Connecticut in order for a pickle to officially be considered a pickle, it must bounce. (provided by Austin Greenwood)
thanks to: http://mobile-cuisine.com/did-you-know/pickle-fun-facts
