What is difference between cucumber and gherkin?

Answer 1

Not really. Cornichons are spiced slightly differently, and cost more. But, they're basically the same: tiny pickled cucumbers.

AnswerContrary to popular believe, gherkins are not cucumbers. Gherkins and cucumbers are related but not the same plant race. This is a slight difference botanically, but quite a difference in taste and appearance.

Cornichons are indeed harvested before they are fullgrown. After that they are pickled according to a French recipe. This results in pickles that are slightly less salty then the average pickled gherkin.

Cornichons have more flavor, are tinier than baby gherkins. Gherkins can be substitued for Cornichons, but once you taste the real thing, it is tough to go back. They keep forever in the frige and are a tasty addition to tuna salad, devilled eggs and lots of other things.

Answer 2

Gherkins (cornichons in French) are smaller than regular cucumbers, and are picked young and dark green -- generally specifically for pickling. The taste is generally similar, though it is firmer.

Answer 3

All marinated cucumbers are pickles. In fact, all vegetables marinated in vinegar and the like are considered pickles. Cornichons are nothing more than tiny, pickled cucumbers, originating in France to be served with cold meats and such. Of course, there's a secondary meaning in French; there always is. "Quel cornichon!" means "What a jerk!" And upperclass moms tell their daughters, "Ne faites pas le cornichon." Don't be a silly goose! Because "cornichon" is a euphemism for "con," so the expression is a polite way of saying "Don't be a dick."

Answer 4

A pickling cucumber is a variety of cucumber that is smaller than the regular cucumbers you find at your local grocery store. When mature, they have smaller seeds, have thinner and lighter skins, and are often used to make whole pickles, therefore the name. Gherkins are immature pickling cucumbers that through a pickling process are made into sweet gherkin pickles or dill gherkin pickles.

Answer 5

A gherkin is a specific type of pickle. So, all gherkins are pickles, but only a small percentage of pickles are gherkins.