From ancient Egypt to the Chicago World’s Fair, pickles have had a staggeringly long run on the culinary stage of the world.

Pickle has a history of thousands of years when ancient Mesopotamians began soaking cucumbers in acidic brine to preserve them. Pickling was a popular way of preserving non-seasonal food which could be consumed for long journeys, especially by the sea, for travelers and sailors. So let us now delve into the fascinating origin and history of pickles.

How pickles reached America?

Christopher Columbus was the first person to bring pickles to America. By the 19th century, H.J. Heinz Company, Inc. had exerted dominance within the market, owing to some ingenious marketing strategies. By the year 2010, the Americans alone were eating over 2 million pounds of pickles in a year.

Ancient World

Though the exact origin of pickling is unknown, archaeologists believe that ancient Mesopotamians pickled food as far back as 2400 B.C. Several centuries after, native Indian cucumbers, were being pickled in the Tigris Valley. Cleopatra and Julius Caesar swore by pickles and included them in their diet.

Age of Exploration

During the Age of Exploration, numerous sailors on transoceanic voyages suffered from scurvy, caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C. Christopher Columbus in his expedition to the New World reportedly rationed pickles to his sailors. By 1659, Dutch farmers had begun growing cucumbers in New York. Later, waves of immigration to New York during the late 19th and early 20th centuries turned the city into the center of the pickle world.

19th century

In 1809, Napoleon Bonaparte had offered to pay 12,000 francs (equivalent to $250,000) to anyone who would come up with the most ideal way of pickling for his troops. Nicolas Appert, a French chef and confectioner won the competition. Appert had used glass containers sealed with wax or cork for pickling, which later gained popularity.

20th century

In the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, H.J. Heinz had tempted fairgoers with a “free gift” if they visited Heinz’s out-of-the-way booth and tasted his wares. This marketing gambit was a huge success. The U.S. government during World War II had rationed pickles and nearly 40% of the country’s pickles had gone to the armed forces.

Did you know that the International Pickle Week was founded in 1948 by the trade organization, Pickle Packers International?