Kuhne is a brand that has been making veggie products since 1722, so if anyone knows how to pickle, it should be them.
I’ve always had a fondness for pickles, but it wasn’t until now that I realised I was a ‘true’ pickle girly. Kühne is a brand with a long history, having been producing vegetable products since 1722. If anyone knows their way around a pickle, it’s them.
In an effort to promote their Gourmet Selection, Kühne sent me some samples to try, and I must say, I don’t think I can ever go back to supermarket pickles again. I had the pleasure of trying three varieties from the Gourmet Selection: Gourmet Selection with Chili, Gourmet Selection with Herbs, and the Gourmet Selection with Honey.
Each jar was more impressive than the last. The balance of flavours in Kühne’s pickling water is simply top-notch, reports the Express. While you might typically add pickles to a dish for a bit of tang, these come pre-loaded with a fully rounded flavour profile.
The pickles themselves are crisp without being tough, boasting the perfect crunch. Clearly, they were harvested at just the right time – something Kühne takes great pride in, stating they “maintain long-standing, close partnerships with farmers”, some of whom are third-generation suppliers.
The Gourmet Selection with Herbs offers a delightful fragrant and herby taste, while the vinegar provides a tangy kick without being overly sharp or bitter. The Gourmet Selection with Chili delivers a pleasant little zing on the tongue; it’s not too strong, allowing you to still savour the fresh taste of the pickle, and mild enough for you to enjoy more than one.
For me, it’s the Gourmet Selection with Honey that really hits the spot. The honey’s subtle sweetness perfectly complements the vinegar, giving these pickles an unexpectedly delightful sweet and sour umami flavour. They’ve quickly become my go-to snack, and I’m already planning when to get my next jar as the honey-infused ones are nearly finished.
Depending on their size and the ingredients in the pickling brine, pickles can have anywhere from four to 11 calories each. Not only are they low in calories, but they’re also packed with protective antioxidant nutrients, much like other fruits and vegetables.
Nutritionist Kerry Torrens explains on BBC Good Food: “Fruit and veg are valuable sources of protective nutrients including beta-carotene and vitamin C known as antioxidants. These help the body manage a damaging process called oxidation, which has been linked to a number of conditions, including cancer and diabetes.
“Pickles are useful sources of these antioxidants, especially when combined with spices. Pickling liquid is also a rich source of water-soluble vitamins, including vitamin C and, when spices like chilli, fenugreek and turmeric are included in the liquid, the vitamin C levels appear to be even better.”
Starting with the Kühne pickles was a blunder, as every other pickle tasted like dust afterwards. The Serious Pig snacking pickles had an odd and sour aroma, Tesco’s own brand gherkins were tasteless and tough, the Waitrose Cocktail Gherkins were bitter, and the Mallie Cornichons were so tangy they nearly brought tears to my eyes.
I needed some of those Kühne honey pickles to refresh my palate. These pickles have genuinely transformed my life, I can’t go back to supermarket gherkins.
And if you do purchase them, request your McDonald’s burgers without pickles and add a Kühne chili one instead for an upgraded takeaway experience.
You can get your hands on the best pickles I’ve ever tasted at Ocado for £3.55 (a bit steep, but totally worth it) or bulk buy eight jars from Amazon for £25.59.
