Dill vs. Gherkin: The 6 Most Common Types Of Pickles, Explained

Whether as a barbecue essential or a post-workout trick for replenishing electrolytes, pickles are a pretty popular item—and have been for thousands of years, according to some sources. But there are so many kinds and flavors that go with the broader term pickle as different types have developed from cultures across the globe.

And now that we've demystified how to make your own pickles, it makes sense to start thinking about what the different kinds are and what makes each variety tasty. While often the basics are the same—a cucumber plus a pickling liquid—differences come up in the process and even the flavors you add.

When it comes to these classic pickles, there are actually two well-known variations. The first is the classic dill pickle, which is flavored with dill and the primary option.

The second is kosher dill pickles, which aren't called kosher for their adherence to the dietary guidelines of keeping kosher but rather because they originated in the Jewish delis of New York—which were overseen by rabbis.

While the classic ingredients in a pickle brine are liquid and salt, and often an additional herb, there are also varieties of pickles that introduce sugar to the party. Once sugar is in the mix, some recipes also add spices that go hand in hand with a sweeter treat, like cinnamon.

A sweet pickle variety, bread-and-butter pickles are something of a misnomer: There's no bread or butter involved in the making of these sliced specials. They're often made by adding a bit of sweet onion. Where the spear of dill pickle may come on the side of a burger, you'll often find these on the burger itself. 

These smaller pickles are often made from a smaller cucumber variety that gives them their name. They are usually only a few inches long, and the name is also used generally for a wider variety of pickles in the United Kingdom and other countries.

The style of pickles made in much of Europe, and specifically these nations, are made in wooden barrels but often sold in glass jars. With a punchy flavor similar to dill pickles, the herbs and spices used in flavoring are different, with flavors like caraway seeds, mustard seeds, or peppercorns. There are also usually simply more spices included in the mixture.

Brined pickles are named for how they're made, a mixture of salt and water but no vinegar. Arguably the most traditional of the bunch, they naturally take on a sour flavor due to the fermentation that occurs from Lactobacillus bacteria, a probiotic strain.

No matter what pickles you're eating, it's always worth thinking about making them yourself if you're looking to reap all the benefits. According to Megan Meyer, Ph.D., "If you are buying pickles from a can at a grocery store, there's very little chance there are any probiotics in them."