PICKLES FROM INDIA : THE HIDDEN LESSONS THEY CARRY

Pickles are eternal or so they are meant to be. Pickles were there yesterday, are there today and will be there tomorrow. Pickles are made in India since ages. Pickles come in every form and type. The technique to make pickles have been passed on from generation to next generation. Each region makes its own kind of pickle with the local produce available. Lot of spices and ingredients go into pickle to make it last long without any kind of synthetic or chemical preservatives. There might have been lot of iterations done by various people to perfect the art pickle to contain the right amount of natural preservatives as well as maintain the right kind of texture and taste.

Pickle making is an art in India. Usually pickles are made of Mango, Lemon and Amla. This is not exclusive or not limited list. There are various kinds of pickles made based on local fruits, plants and produce which last from 2 weeks to as long as 1 year. And you will be surprised to find the same taste even after an year. No modern preservation technique can come close to keeping food so fresh and long lasting.

Pickle making is art, science, religion and festival in India.

Pickle making starts at shopping for the ingredients and ends at placing the jar in the safe corner. When the season for pickle making starts like for eg the season for Mango pickle starts in summer. Ladies of the house often accompanied by a senior lady go to buy the best mangoes that are available. They pick each by hand and decide to pay the minimum they can. They bargain a lot. Why ? Because the amount of pickle that goes into the making is in large quantities for many households. It is made in small batches as 1 kg to large batches as 5kg to 10kg in a joint family. Those who have farms of their own, grow their yield separately and don’t have to go through the hustle of buying. They keep the best crop for themselves.

Pickle making is a family activity. Once the mangoes are brought home, they are washed nicely and cleaned until there is no water. Water is the enemy of pickles, well for most of them which are kept for long. Then all ladies, kids and men likely join in the process of cutting, marinating and preserving the pickle. For each kind of pickle, there is a separate process. But in all of them, the base idea is to keep things clean, follow the process taught to them by their granny, mother or mother-in-law and keep the pickle to rest in safe place. Most houses consider it equivalent to a religious ritual to make pickle as any kind of damage or rotting in the long wrong is considered bad.

Pickle making is Science. Process above everything. Most pickles are kept in solution of some kind of food oil and usually contains ingredients like mustard (Rai), clove (laving), fenugreek (methi), til, corainder (daniya) and other seeds in dry roasted and powder form. The aroma of the spices is spread in the entire colony. Pickle is mixed and packed in the jar made of ceramic or glass or similar containers which are specifically chosen for pickles. Usually whatever spice mix is left after the pickle is packed, is enjoyed by the family with rice, chapati or any snack on that day itself.

One stop solution for travel, minimalism, economy and food. Pickles last long. Pickles can be carried easily. Pickles need not be cooked again. Pickles don’t need any kind of alteration. Pickles can be eaten with rice, roti, any kind of snack. They are taste boosters. Pickles make food wholesome. Pickles remind you of your culture, tradition, village, home and specially of your family.

Pickle is poor man’s food. For the well off pickle may be a side dish or taste enhancer but for the real poor of India, pickle is a half part of meal. When the days are not well, they just add pickle in between roti and enjoy with some onion or chilly. When they travel in trains or are on move from one village to another, it helps them to travel light and eat healthy stomach filling food. When the supply of vegetables is over a toss or their is a breakdown in the supply due to any kind of natural calamity or strikes or damage to crops, pickles help to manage the days by functioning as supplements.

Pickles are made at home by family with hands, care, dedication and lot of love!

Pickle haters are few, yet they have their reasons. Some may complaint about the amount of oil, spices, chillies or other ingredients that go into the pickles that it makes their stomach upset or heat them up. But certainly they are not in the right context and use of pickles. It may not be right for them to consume but for millions, I say MILLIONS in India, it is a part of every day meal. For some it’s the major part of their meal. So don’t eat if you don’t like, but do not speak ill of it. It is not meant for you.

Homemade food made with lot of ingredients and a little love. Pickles in India are not made in factories with machines and synthetic preservatives. Pickles are made at home by family with hands, care, dedication and lot of love. Today in India, many varieties of pickle are sold in packets, containers some made by people, some made by industries. They may be good or may not. You can check the ingredients listed. But once you taste the pickle made by a mother, you will never forget it.

Pickles mix with every dish without any complaint.

Add pickle in your bucket list. If you are travelling to India for the first time, then make sure to add it in your bucket list to taste some form of home made pickle. You may carry some with you. However make sure to ask about the ingredients or heat level if you are allergic to any kind of food or cannot tolerate. For fun, you keep a bottle of milk with you and try it. If you fall in love with pickles then you will find each village have a variety of each kind of pickle and their are so many different kinds of pickle, so it will be a pursuit for you, even if you are Indian.

Pickles saved many generations in India. Pickles are their for a reason. If you don’t know the reason and don’t want to know, then at least check at the scale of their presence and accept the importance. For situations like COVID19 when the movement was restricted, pickles have helped many households. Even though the essentials were allowed in this scenario, many scenarios in life, don’t come with the liesure or choice. So pickles become a saviours. So I urge you all who consider pickles to be just another product in the food racks of shopping malls, to remember your childhood or make a call to your mother or grand mother and know about their experiences related to pickle and if you are lucky you may find a secret recipe hidden in them. It’s time to bring it out and try, before they are lost forever.

Let us know your favourite pickle in comments section below. If you are visiting our site from other parts of the world, share your thoughts on pickles and which kind of pickles are made in your country. If you don’t like pickles, share your feelings and reasons.

Pickles in India are more than just a condiment or a side dish; they are a cultural symbol, a culinary art form, and a window into the diversity and richness of Indian traditions. Each region in India has its unique way of making pickles, and in these often spicy and tangy preserves, there are hidden lessons and deeper meanings that go beyond their taste. Here are some “hidden lessons” that Indian pickles carry:

1. Patience and Time

Making pickles is a slow, deliberate process. Whether it’s the sun-drying process, the marination, or the aging period, pickles teach us the value of patience and waiting for the right moment. Just like life’s most meaningful outcomes—whether in personal growth, relationships, or career—great things take time to develop.

• Lesson: Success and growth require patience. We often have to go through a process of ripening and evolving, and rushing things can affect the final result. Life is a balance of patience and timing.

2. Adaptability and Resilience

Pickles are made by preserving fresh, raw ingredients, which are then transformed by heat, salt, oil, and spices. The same goes for life: hardships or “preserving” challenges can often lead to growth, strength, and resilience. Different regions of India use varying ingredients, depending on what’s available in their environment, demonstrating flexibility.

• Lesson: We should embrace change and adapt to different environments. Life throws curveballs, but like the humble pickle, we can evolve and thrive in different conditions.

3. Celebrating Diversity

In India, every region has its own unique pickles—be it mango, lemon, garlic, or even more unusual varieties like bamboo shoot or wild berries. These pickles come in different flavors, textures, and ingredients. Just as Indian pickles celebrate regional diversity, they remind us of the beauty of diversity in the world.

• Lesson: Embrace diversity in people, cultures, and ideas. Our differences, when respected and nurtured, lead to a more vibrant and fulfilling world. Much like pickles, the variety of experiences enriches life.

4. Balance in Life

Pickles are a perfect example of how balance is key. A good pickle is neither too salty nor too sour—it’s a combination of flavors that create harmony. Similarly, life is about finding the right balance between work and rest, passion and patience, joy and sorrow.

• Lesson: Life is best lived in balance. Too much of one thing can spoil the whole, just like a pickle that’s overly salty or sour might not be enjoyable.

5. Savoring the Present

Pickles are meant to be enjoyed with food, but they are often stored for months or even years before they reach their full flavor. This teaches us about savoring the present moment while also preparing for the future.

• Lesson: Live in the moment, but also plan for the future. Like pickles, our actions today, however small, may have a lasting impact on the years to come.

6. Innovation and Creativity

Although the basic ingredients for pickles (fruits, vegetables, spices, oil) remain the same, people across India get incredibly creative with their combinations. There are pickles made with unexpected ingredients like bitter gourd, gooseberries, and even jackfruit. This is a reminder that innovation often arises from tradition, and creativity can emerge when we blend new with the old.

• Lesson: Never stop experimenting and learning. Innovation thrives when we build on tradition and are open to new ideas.

7. Preservation and Value of Tradition

The act of preserving food through pickling is a lesson in preserving memories, values, and traditions. In many Indian families, making pickles is a tradition passed down through generations. Each family has its own secret recipe or technique, often linked with family bonds and shared moments.

• Lesson: Hold on to your traditions, values, and connections to the past. Like pickles, these traditions enrich your life and serve as a reminder of your roots.

8. Embracing Life’s Bitterness

Many pickles, like the well-loved bitter gourd pickle or mango pickle, start with ingredients that have a sharp, bitter taste. However, the combination of spices, salt, and oil can transform these bitter elements into something delicious. In life, we often face challenges and hardships, but with the right mindset, these can be turned into valuable experiences.

• Lesson: Life will have its share of bitter moments, but with the right attitude and approach, we can transform these into opportunities for growth.

9. Importance of Preservation and Sustainability

Pickles, in their essence, are all about preservation. In a country where food wastage is a significant issue, pickling provides a sustainable way to preserve the harvest, preventing food from spoiling. This reflects the value of making the most of what you have, and the importance of sustainability in all aspects of life.

• Lesson: Appreciate what you have, and learn the importance of preservation, sustainability, and mindful consumption.

10. The Power of Spices

Pickles are full of bold, potent flavors thanks to a variety of spices like mustard seeds, fenugreek, and asafoetida (hing). These spices bring depth, complexity, and zing to the otherwise simple ingredients. Similarly, the challenges and experiences in life can add spice, making our journey richer and more colorful.

• Lesson: Life is more meaningful when we embrace challenges and experiences—just as spices enhance the flavor of food, hardships can add depth and flavor to our character.

Conclusion:

Indian pickles are much more than just a side dish—they carry the essence of life itself. Through patience, adaptability, creativity, and balance, they teach us that life, much like a pickle, requires careful preparation, respect for tradition, and the ability to embrace change. In every jar of pickle, there’s a story of resilience, flavor, and the beauty of transformation. Just as each pickle is unique in flavor, each moment of life offers its own lesson—waiting to be savored, just like the perfect pickle.