In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about both gherkins and cucumbers so that you can get a full understanding of them. We will address whether or not gherkins and cucumbers are related, as well as what they taste like. Finally, we will go over what these unique plants are used for in a culinary capacity, and what you can expect out of their nutritional value. Let’s get started now!
Comparing Gherkin vs Cucumber
Key Differences Between Gherkin vs Cucumber
There are a number of key differences between gherkins and cucumbers. For example, all gherkins are technically cucumbers, but not all cucumbers are gherkins. In addition, gherkins are much smaller than the average cucumber variety. Gherkins are exclusively pickles, while many varieties of cucumber are eaten raw and unpickled. Finally, the rind of the gherkin is more textured than the rind of the average cucumber. Let’s go over all of these differences in more detail now.
Gherkin vs Cucumber: Classification
Given the fact that all gherkins are technically cucumbers, but not all cucumbers are technically gherkins, they are classified the same way. They are both members of the Cucurbitaceae family, known scientifically as Cucumis sativus. The gherkin is simply a smaller variety of cucumber, ideal when pickled or preserved with herbs.
Gherkin vs Cucumber: Description
One of the main ways that you can tell the difference between gherkins and other varieties of cucumbers is the fact that gherkins are much smaller than any other variety. For example, gherkins grow an average of 1-6 inches in length, while other cucumber varieties reach up to 12 inches long, if not longer. However, besides their overall size differences, the gherkin’s rind is often bumpier and more textured compared to the smoother rind of other cucumber varieties. The flavor of a raw cucumber is mild and clean compared to the tart and pickled flavor of the average gherkin. Otherwise, these plants look extremely similar to one another, outside of the gherkin’s diminutive form!
Gherkin vs Cucumber: Uses
There are a number of uses for the gherkin and other varieties of cucumber, and they do tend to overlap. For example, gherkins are exclusively pickled and eaten raw once they have fermented for a certain period of time, while cucumbers are frequently eaten raw and unpickled. However, other varieties of cucumbers are pickled. These varieties are much larger than the average gherkin. Gherkins are popular alongside pate and charcuterie plates, while raw cucumber is popular alongside hummus or in salads and drinks. Overall, unpickled cucumbers are refreshing and bright in their taste, while gherkins taste pickled and herbaceous, especially if they have been pickled alongside garlic or tarragon!
Gherkin vs Cucumber: Nutrition Information
The nutritional value of both the gherkin and the cucumber are identical to one another, given the fact that they are technically the same plant. However, gherkins receive a bit more nutritional value from the vinegar that it is pickled in, while raw cucumbers do not get this. For the most part, gherkins and cucumbers have a high amount of Vitamin K, but are otherwise fairly negligible in their nutritional value.
Gherkin vs Cucumber: Special Features
The cucumber plant is a special plant: it is ancient and has been harvested for a long time. Records date back at least 3,000 years ago, with the cucumber originating in India. It’s unclear when exactly gherkins became popular, but they are found alongside many snack plates around the world. In fact, gherkins are known as cornichons in France, another name that you might know them by!
