Description
Kitchen 87 Sweet Pickled Cucumber
Our Kitchen 87 Sweet Pickled Cucumber is a real classic. Made right here in Pangbourne, from an old family recipe, it really works on a cheeseboard, and I love to have a jar in the cupboard for dinner parties!
Flavour Profile
Cucumber is definitely the star here. Sliced and brined with vinegar, sugar, salt, and a handful of spices, it’s the sugar that sets these pickles apart from their tart, savoury dill cousins. The end result is full of layers of flavour.
A good cucumber pickle should have a proper crunch and let that cucumber freshness come through. Brown sugar takes the edge off the vinegar and brings a lovely zing. Mustard seed, turmeric, and clove add a gentle warmth, and a pinch of salt brings everything together.
The result is a sweet, tangy, spiced, and crunchy pickle. There’s a softness and almost a dessert-like quality to sweet pickles that makes them a lovely change from the usual dill.
Cheese Pairing Ideas
This pickle with its mix of sweet and tart, pair well with all sorts of cheeses. The tang cuts through richer cheeses, while the sweetness lifts anything salty or nutty.
- Mature cheddar and sweet pickle is a classic pairing for good reason. The strength of the cheese and the tang of the pickle are just made for each other, especially in a ploughman’s lunch or a proper sandwich.
- Soft cheeses like Baron Bigod or Waterloo really benefit from a bit of acidity to balance out their richness. Sweet cucumber pickles add a refreshing bite and keep things from getting too heavy. Try them with brie on some good crusty bread.
- Fresh goat’s cheese, with its tangy, earthy flavour, pairs well with the pickle’s sweetness.
- Emmentaler AOP is also a great pairing. The spices in the pickle really stand out against the smooth cheese, and the crunch is a nice contrast.
- For something unusual, try a sweet pickle with blue cheese. The sugar softens the cheese’s punch, creating a surprisingly good match.
Jen’s Note: When I was growing up, my little sister was a real pickled cucumber fiend. She loved soaking slices of cucumber in vinegar and eating them straight out of the bowl.
Buying Kitchen 87 Sweet Pickled Cucumber
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
cucumber, onion, brown sugar, light malt vinegar (BARLEY), MUSTARD SEED, turmeric, ground clove, salt
