Trivia: Pickles were invented by what ancient civilization?
Aztec
Assyria
Gupta
Mesopotamia
Correct Answer: Mesopotamia
So why is this answer correct? : According to archaeological evidence, ancient Mesopotamians first started pickling foods in brine as far back as 2400 BCE. Several centuries later, the pickling process made its way over to the Indian subcontinent. Pickles maintained their popularity over the years and were revered in other ancient cultures, including Rome and Greece.
Trivia: Pickleball resembles what popular sport?
Baseball
Basketball
Tennis
Swimming
Correct Answer: Tennis
So why is this answer correct? : Despite its name, pickleball doesn’t have much to do with pickles. The sport was invented in 1965 by a group of neighbors on Bainbridge Island, Washington, combining items from multiple other lawn games. Pickleball’s rules are similar to tennis, with opponents — singles or doubles — standing on opposite sides of a net and batting a lightweight plastic ball back and forth using wooden paddles.
Trivia: Tommy Pickles is the protagonist of what ‘90s cartoon?
King of the Hill
Rugrats
The Magic School Bus
Animaniacs
Correct Answer: Rugrats
So why is this answer correct? : “Rugrats” debuted on Nickelodeon in 1991. The cartoon centered around baby Tommy Pickles and his everyday adventures with his best friend Chuckie, twins Phil and Lil, and his not-so-nice older cousin, Angelica. The show became one of the network’s signature ‘90s cartoons, along with “Doug,” “Hey Arnold!,” and “The Ren & Stimpy Show.”
Trivia: In Mississippi, pickles are sometimes steeped in what fruity beverage?
Kool-Aid
7-Up
Cheerwine
Orange juice
Correct Answer: Kool-Aid
So why is this answer correct? : The Mississippi Delta region has one of the most unusual pickling processes in the United States: Kool-Aid pickles, also known as “koolickles.” This regional delicacy is created by replacing the brine in a pickle jar with a combination of Kool-Aid powder and sugar. After sitting for a week, the pickles boast a bright color and a fruity, vinegary flavor.
Trivia: What company erected a 43-foot electronic pickle sign in 1900?
Nestlé
Kraft
Heinz
Mars
Correct Answer: Heinz
So why is this answer correct? : In 1900, food magnate Henry J. Heinz revolutionized the food advertising world with a sign he unveiled in New York City. Utilizing 1,200 lightbulbs, Heinz created a six-story tall advertisement topped with a flashing 43-foot-long pickle. This was the first advertising sign of its kind, paving the way for countless other flashing ads in the years to come.
Trivia: What pickled item is considered lucky in Scandinavian culture?
Beets
Radish
Eggs
Herring
Correct Answer: Herring
So why is this answer correct? : Pickled herring is a Scandinavian delicacy. While fish — pickled or otherwise — is considered to be a symbol of good luck, pickled herring is often served at regional New Year’s celebrations. The large Norwegian communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa carried this tradition to the United States.
Trivia: What historic leader ate pickles to maintain their beauty?
Queen Elizabeth I
Cleopatra
Mahatma Gandhi
Thomas Jefferson
Correct Answer: Cleopatra
So why is this answer correct? : Cleopatra was known for her love of pickled cucumbers, and believed the food played a key role in maintaining her health and beauty. Her lover Julius Caesar also believed in the medical properties of pickles, and provided his troops with the briny food to make them strong.
Trivia: Pickles are a key ingredient in what city’s hot dog style?
Chicago
Paris
Tijuana
Montreal
Correct Answer: Chicago
So why is this answer correct? : In the wake of the Great Depression, vendors in Chicago began experimenting with more creative — and cheaper — toppings for hot dogs, including pickles. The unconventional ingredient stuck, and today, traditional Chicago-style hot dogs are served on poppy-seed buns and topped with sliced dill pickles, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped white onion, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, and celery salt.
Trivia: What are the two main ingredients needed to pickle something?
Lemon juice and salt
Cucumbers and water
Baking soda and vinegar
Salt and vinegar
Correct Answer: Salt and vinegar
So why is this answer correct? : Only two ingredients are required for pickling: salt and vinegar. Both help preserve the pickle and provide a safe environment for the fermentation process by deterring bacteria and mold. Using salt and vinegar is the simplest form of pickling, while other ingredients — such as garlic, onions, pepper, and dill seeds — can be added to enhance flavor. Pickling is an easy hobby, and you don’t have to stick to cucumbers — onions, beets, and carrots are just some of the other vegetables that can be pickled.
Trivia: Pickles are traditionally made from what vegetable?
Bok choy
Arugula
Cucumbers
Edamame
Correct Answer: Cucumbers
So why is this answer correct? : While many vegetables can be pickled, the simplest form of a “pickle” uses cucumbers as the main ingredient. Pickles come in various flavors, with dill being one of the most popular. Other widely eaten varieties of pickles include sour, sweet, bread and butter, and gherkins.