Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

thoughtcooker t1_je8c1nw wrote

Reply to comment by -B0B- in ELI5 Why are pickles not just called pickled cucumbers? by Shabless

Gerkins?

35

cosmoboy t1_je8ddnw wrote

The real difference is that gherkins are a lot smaller than the typical pickle (my new band name)

68

torrens86 t1_je8gwjn wrote

Gherkins are generally sweet, dilled pickles are often called cornichons in Australia.

30

DanelleDee t1_je8j0md wrote

There are sour gherkins too. I agree they are usually sweet, just sharing because they're awesome if you can find them!

13

ero_senin05 t1_je8mssf wrote

Wtf you mean, cornichons? Who the fuck is calling them cornichons? I've been Australian for nearly 40 years and I have never heard the word cornichons in my life.

9

MurderedRemains t1_je8oyeu wrote

Smart arse TV Chefs definitely do.

4

maartenvanheek t1_je8r1hf wrote

They also say garbanzo beans, where chickpeas would suffice :)

2

MurderedRemains t1_je8r4uh wrote

What's the difference between a chickpea and a lentil?

1

redant333 t1_je8zjmn wrote

Unless this is a reference I'm missing - the taste, the size and the color.

1

norinrin t1_jeaa71e wrote

I think it's a confused version of the joke: "What's the difference between a chickpea and a garbanzo bean?"

1

nianp t1_je8qy6x wrote

So you've clearly never looked at the pickle section of a woolies or coles?

3

ero_senin05 t1_je8rpg6 wrote

I only look until I see the Polski Ogorki, and then I leave. I also worked in supermarkets for 14 years and don't remember ever seeing pickles labelled as cornichons, and if you go onto either of the colesworth online sites, they don't show up

−5

nianp t1_je8yxhr wrote

You're right, and that's some weird shit because I've 100% bought cornichons from both before.

1

smltor t1_je8qqed wrote

Go to woolies and look at the jars of little pickled cucumbers at least a couple will be labelled as cornichons.

or just check online https://letmegooglethat.com/?q=Cornichon+site%3Awoolworths.com.au

−3

ero_senin05 t1_je8s3ck wrote

It comes up with one result for a product they list as "free" and "out of stock".

1

smltor t1_je8sl3l wrote

Yes and therefore is a product they do sell.

There's another brand they usually have in sydney as well. Green label, forget what it is.

1

ero_senin05 t1_je8t0mp wrote

It only comes up if you search it through the google method you posted though. If you just go onto woolworths site and search cornichons it yields zero results. The probably sold it once upon a time but have since deleted it. Probably because no one wanted to pay cornichon prices for pickles

−1

smltor t1_je8ws8x wrote

They probably sold it at some point in the past 40 years though right :)

Not trying to be a dick or anything just showing that the term "cornichon" has been used in Australia at one of the largest supermarkets in the country.

And yes you are correct. I am pretty sure that they were at a premium price to "pickled baby cucumbers".

To me it is more of a French term than English. But in English we don't have such clear words for pickles as, for example, Polish where Ogorky konserwowe has quite a clear meaning as opposed to Ogorky kiszone. So I guess we steal words from where we can and if they happen to sound fancy it's just a bonus ahahaha

1

ero_senin05 t1_je8zybd wrote

>Not trying to be a dick or anything just showing that the term "cornichon" has been used in Australia at one of the largest supermarkets in the country

True, but the original claim that started this conversation was that Aussies use this name "often." I've never heard the word out loud before and hadn't even read it until today.

1

smltor t1_je90zvo wrote

Probably a regional thing then. Pretty sure most of my social circle in Sydney would know the word.

Although I also feel like it only became common in maybe the late 90's.

1

Pearsepicoetc t1_je8nyc9 wrote

In the UK something sold as a cornichon is generally small, quite sour and will feature no dill.

6

nianp t1_je8r0k0 wrote

It's the same in Australia. The person you're replying to has no idea what they're talking about.

9

Chosch t1_je8qrz9 wrote

Incorrect. In aus, cornichons are the little teeny tiny Pickles.

5

What_Is_X t1_je8q3px wrote

>cornichons

I am an Australian pickle enthusiast and have never heard this in my life

3

nianp t1_je8r323 wrote

There are multiple brands of cornichons in every major Australian supermarket I've ever been in.

2

ero_senin05 t1_je9013r wrote

I would like to challenge you to provide a picture to substantiate your claim next time you are in a Colesworth

1

nianp t1_je921jv wrote

While I've 100% purchased them from both in the past, it appears they no longer sell them/are out of stock.

Of course, the last time I would have purchased them was almost certainly pre-covid.

1

eggwardpenisglands t1_je8ml1p wrote

I thought dill pickles were called dill pickles, and cornichons were the tiny ones?

0

sunburn95 t1_je8ttr8 wrote

>cornichons

I have never heard that in my life

−1

PunkToTheFuture t1_je8pccr wrote

Typical Pickle opening for Ill Eagle and headlining Grabaduck Crumbsnatch

1

risbia t1_je8ufqu wrote

It's got that typical pickle tickle

1

MinnieShoof t1_je8v79z wrote

Smaller than the typical pickle?

Or just Typical Pickle?

1

-B0B- t1_je8cd6w wrote

My understanding is that gherkins are a type of pickle but yeah it probably is used generically

6

pacothetac0 t1_je8t7h9 wrote

They have a different flavor too, use them for potato/egg salad for example

They have a different sweeter flavor, I’ll even eat em straight from the jar unlike almost all larger/deli pickles

1

JosephusMillerTime t1_je8ks8u wrote

I thought we only called them gherkins if they were sliced with that wavy slicer!

0