The Best Type Of Cucumber For Homemade Pickles

Though pickles are sometimes seen as a divisive vegetable, they're actually fairly popular. According to PR Newswire, roughly 86% of people enjoy pickles, meaning that far more people like them than not. A key reason for their popularity is their versatility. You can use these salty, sour vegetables as a topping for sandwiches and burgers, eat them as a snack, fry them for a tasty appetizer, or even incorporate their brine into alcoholic beverages. Some people prefer to make homemade pickles, which simply involves slicing whole cucumbers and storing them in a brine.

What people may not know when looking for cucumbers to pickle is that there are about 100 different cucumber varieties, per Leafy Place. The short, thick cucumber that is typically sold in U.S. stores is known as the American, or Garden, cucumber, but English, Persian, and Lebanese cucumbers are other common varieties. Since different types of cucumbers have different characteristics, including varying levels of thickness and crunchiness, they can affect the way homemade pickles taste. So, with that in mind, what's the best type of cucumber for homemade pickles? Let's dive in. 

According to GardeningKnowHow, you can use any type of cucumber when making homemade pickles, but pickling cucumbers are the best option. Pickling cucumbers are generally smaller in size than other cucumber varieties, which means they are easier to peel and slice than their other counterparts. They also have small seeds, thin skin, and a crunchy texture, making them delicious when pickled.

While there are several different types of pickling cucumbers, a well-known pickling variety is the kirby cucumber, per Organic Facts. Kirby cucumbers are usually no more than six inches long and have bumpy skin and a crunchy texture. Another popular pickling cucumber is the National Pickling cucumber, according to Hoss Tools. The National Pickling cucumber was created in 1929 when the National Pickle Packers Association wanted a cucumber that was ideal for pickling. These cucumbers are thick with black spines and tapered ends that allow it to easily fit into jars.

There are many ways that you can pickle cucumbers, resulting in a variety of unique flavors. The most common pickle is the dill pickle, per the WebstaurantStore. Dill pickles are made by soaking cucumbers in a brine made of vinegar, dill, and pickling salt. Their salty, sour flavor makes them a popular snack, and they're often put on hamburgers, sandwiches, or simply eaten raw, especially if they're spear-shaped. Bread and butter pickles are also very popular. Unlike dill pickles, bread and butter pickles have a sweet flavor. However, though they are known for their sweetness, their brine often includes spicy components, including onions and peppers.

A lesser known type of pickle is the Hungarian pickle, via Love Home Designs. The brine of Hungarian pickles contains peppercorn, juniper berries, and garlic, making it extremely unique and flavorful. These pickles are also traditionally fermented in the sun instead of indoors. Whether you plan on making something classic like dill or bread and butter pickles, or you want to do something different and make Hungarian pickles, be sure to use pickling cucumbers for the perfect texture.