Hey there! Squeaks and I have noticed some exciting changes in the weather. The days are getting longer, it’s warmer, and the trees are starting to sprout leaves. You know what that means? Spring is here! And with spring comes one of our favorite activities: having a cookout. I love a good burger with all the fixings, especially pickles!
Squeaks was curious about where pickles come from since we don’t see them growing on trees. Well, most pickles actually start as cucumbers! That’s right, the pickles we enjoy on our burgers are cucumbers that have gone through a special process called pickling. This process can be used on other foods too, like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, radishes, cauliflower, and onions.
We decided to try pickling ourselves! To make pickles, we first need to create something called brine. Brine is made by mixing spices, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a pan and heating it until the salt and sugar dissolve. Then, we put cucumbers in a jar, pour the brine over them until they’re covered, seal the jar, and pop it in the fridge for three or four days.
After a few days, we compared our pickled cucumbers to fresh ones. They looked the same in size and shape, but the fresh cucumbers were brighter. The pickled ones had a strong smell from the vinegar and felt softer. When we bent them, the pickled cucumbers were squishy, while the fresh ones snapped easily. And when we tasted them, the pickled cucumbers were sour and less crunchy.
Squeaks wondered if pickles could turn back into fresh cucumbers. The answer is no. Once something is pickled, it stays that way. This is called an irreversible change. It happens with other foods too, like eggs. When you cook an egg, it changes and can’t go back to being raw. But some changes are reversible, like water turning into ice and back into water again.
With the weather so nice, Squeaks and I decided to fire up the grill for a cookout. Thanks for joining us on this pickling adventure! If you want to keep learning and having fun with us, be sure to subscribe to SciShow Kids. See you next time!
Pickling Experiment: Try pickling at home with a grown-up! Gather some cucumbers, vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Follow the steps from the article to make your own pickles. Observe the changes each day and draw pictures of what you see. How do the cucumbers change in color, texture, and smell?
Reversible vs. Irreversible Changes: With the help of an adult, try some simple experiments to understand reversible and irreversible changes. Freeze some water to make ice cubes and then let them melt back into water. Discuss how this is a reversible change. Then, cook an egg and talk about how it can’t go back to being raw, showing an irreversible change. Which changes can you find in your kitchen?
Pickle Taste Test: Try tasting different pickled foods like pickled carrots, onions, or peppers. Compare them to their fresh versions. What differences do you notice in taste and texture? Which do you prefer and why? Share your findings with your family or friends!
