Pickling is the process of preparing a Food by soaking and storing it in a Brine (salt) or Vinegar solution, a process which can preserve otherwise perishable foods for months. The resulting food is called a pickle.
If the food contains sufficient moisture a pickling brine may be produced simply by adding dry salt. Some pickling forms, most notably Sauerkraut and Korean Kimchi, salt the vegetables to draw out excess water, then allow natural fermentation to create a vinegar-like solution containing lactic acid. Other pickles are made by placing the vegetable in vinegar. Unlike the Canning process, pickling does not require the food to be made completely sterile before it is sealed. The acidity or salinity of the solution makes it an environment in which bacteria or fungi do not easily grow.
Pickling began as a way to preserve food for out-of-season use and for long journeys, especially by sea. Salt pork and salt beef were common staples for sailors before the days of steam engines. Although the process was originally used to preserve foods, pickling is frequently done because people enjoy the resulting flavor.
Fruits are sometimes pickled in high-sugar or solutions with flavorings such as Cinnamon, Mustard, or Dill seed.
In the UK, the most common type of pickle in British cuisine is the pickled Onion. They are often sold in Fish 'n' Chip shops, as are pickled eggs. Pickled beetroot and condiments such as Branston Pickle and Piccalilli are typically eaten as an accompaniment to pork pies and cold meats or a Ploughman's lunch.
China is home to a huge variety of pickled vegetables, including Radish, Cabbage (notably suan cai and la bai cai), chili pepper and Cucumber, among many others.
In Taiwan, popular pickled food includes: Plum, Cucumber, cabbage, radish and eggs.
In Romania, common pickles are cucumbers, green tomatoes (gogonele), carrots, cabbage, bell peppers, melons, mushrooms and cauliflower.
Japanese Tsukemono include Daikon, plums, turnips, and Lettuce, among other vegetables, as well as rice bran.
Korean Kimchi is usually made from pickled Cabbage.
Indian mixed pickles consist of various pickled fruits and vegetables (invariably including chile peppers) suspended in Vegetable oil.
Pickled herring and Rollmops are pickled fish dishes popular typically in Scandinavia. Lox may be brine-pickled.
Capers and olives are almost invariably served pickled, rather than fresh.
Other foods that are commonly pickled include: