29
Mar
If you’re an avid cook and love to use pickles in your dishes whether hot or cold, then you would find today’s post interesting as we’re discussing the differences between cornichon vs gherkin.
While both are types of pickles that are green and cylindrical in shape, there are subtle differences between the two.
Photo by freepik
What is Cornichon?
First, let’s take a look at cornichons. Pronounced kor-nee-shons, a French word for “little horn”, these tiny cucumbers are much smaller than gherkins. They are grown until about 2 inches in length before being plucked and pickled in a vinegar brine with spices like peppercorns, coriander, dill, and mustard seeds.
They are sour, tart and crunchy, perfect to balance out cheese, pâté or cured meats which are extremely rich and salty. No cheese or charcuterie plate is complete without cornichons, but you can also opt to eat them on their own. Cornichons are also a key ingredient in classic French dishes like Steak Tartare and all-time classics like Beef Stroganoff, potato salad and egg salad. They can also be used to make tartar sauce which will go well with fried seafood.
What is Gherkin?
Gherkins, on the other hand, are larger than cornichons. They grow up to 5 inches long and are usually pickled in a sweeter brine, such as a sugar and vinegar solution. They tend to have a much milder taste than cornichons and are crunchier.
Gherkins are often pickled with garlic, bay leaves, and cloves. They taste good with almost everything! A good example would be a traditional meaty sandwich such as a Cuban Breakfast Sandwich or pulled pork and BBQ-ed meats. You can add them to your burgers, salads and coleslaw and even soup, and use the leftover brine to marinate chicken before roasting or use gherkins to enhance the flavor of potato salads, coleslaw, and other cold dishes.
Photo by freepik
The Similarity?
Both can be used as a garnish for cocktails and drinks including manhattans and martinis. Cornichons and gherkins are also healthy and are considered probiotic superfoods. They are packed full of good bacteria that can support the health of your gut and are an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Potassium, Phosphorus and Folate beta-carotene – even more reasons to enjoy them!
So now that you know the differences between cornichon vs gherkin, it’s time to stock up so you’ll always have these delightful pickled mini cucumbers at home to please all your dinner guests.
In Bali, you can find the best and most premium gherkins and cornichons at Puri Pangan Utama, the best grocery supplier online in Bali. Click here to add Kühne Pickled Gherkins and Kühne Feine Cornichons to your cart!
Click here to view Puri Pangan Utama’s complete catalog of products so you can fulfill all your shopping needs in one easy place.