Last Updated on April 7, 2024
Aldi, like most grocers, stocks cucumbers. And Aldi, like most grocers, stocks pickles. But apparently, as a Special Buy, Aldi stocks a thing that is one part cucumber and one part pickle. Leave it to the German grocer to feature things I’ve never heard of before.
The Little Salad Bar Half Sours Not Quite A Cucumber (man, that’s a mouthful) comes in a plastic tub filled with what look like whole pickles. And they are physically whole, but they’re not pickles. Not exactly. Rather, they are little whole pickles that are not exactly pickles. They are half pickled. They also boast being fresh-packed, with no pasteurization, and claim to be freshly packed from farm to container in five days.
Nutritionally, they are really low in calories; only 5 calories per 1 ounce pickle. On the other hand, they do have some sodium: 770 mg of sodium per serving, or 7% of your daily recommended allowance. So while they’re a low-calorie snack or addition, they’re not without a few drawbacks, especially if your doctor says to go easy on the salt.
So how do they taste? Well, imagine mixing cucumbers and pickles together and you’ve got an idea. Honestly, it’s kind of weird. I’m not a huge fan of cucumbers, but I do like pickles. Because this is a little bit of both, I kind of have a love-hate relationship with this thing. I mean, the pickle part is good, but the cucumber part is a bit of a turnoff to me. It’s also worth noting that there is a bit of a texture difference, too; these taste a little more crisp than a traditional pickle, probably because they aren’t fully pickled!
The Verdict:
If pickles are your thing, you may or may not like this. If cucumbers are your thing, you may or may not like this. But if you are a fan of cucumbers and pickles, then maybe this strange little product is just the thing for you.
Love love love these little salad bar atomic pickles. The thing I hate hate hate is I could not get into them. They are packaged so tightly. I have been looking for this type of pickle/cucumber for a long time. Thank you Aldi
Pickles are great! Container is ridiculous. I’m an highly trained aircraft tool and die maker, and I had to cut the container open with a knife.
I agree. I love pickles, but don’t care for cucumbers. They’re an interesting pick. But I am not in love with them.
I want to know if they are fermented
Yes they are fermented, but at a shorter time period than traditional pickles.
If you’re familiar with deli style half sour pickles, that’s what they are. They are crisp and delicious!
I love them but HATE the packaging. It spills everywhere while opening and cannot be resealed. I am looking for something to put them in once opened. The cucumber/pickle is GREAT!
A company called Farm Ridge makes a similar pickle in the same type of container. I actually called that company to find out how to close the container. On the lid, press down very hard with your thumb just inside the ridge that runs around the edge of the lid. Continue to press hard as you run your thumb all around the top of the lid, just next to the ridge. You will hear the lid snap into place.
I am a huge fan of half-sour pickles but have not been able to find them since my favorite Deli closed in Glendale California. these are the best I’ve had in a long time. didn’t have that much trouble with the container. Any chance that the Aldi stores will be expanding into the northwest?
Had very little issue opening and very little issue resealing. Just try. Wish they a bit more of a bite.
These have been my favorite pickles since I was a kid. They are all over here in NY. Every Jewish deli has them. You can buy them in the stores everywhere here under different brands names.
These pickles are in salt water, not vinegar, like normal pickles. Not a fan and surely not what I have had in the past of “half sours”. There are NO spices in them..at all…just taste like super salty crispy cold cucumber. No thanks.
i didn’t realize there were people who had never heard of half-sours. they are a quite common and standard deli item. i just bought these for the first time and while they are wonderfully crunchy, there is a bitter taste that shouldn’t be there and as someone else noted, there is no seasoning whatsoever other than salt. i like them and will finish the container but i’m not sure i’ll buy again.
I look forward to trying them this week. Of course they are cucumbers! (kirbies) used formthis purpose. Neighborhood family groceries had them in a pickle barrel but grandma made them from scratch in the 50’s era. Little or no vinegar involved. Production was indeed about five days, fresh dill and salt but they definitly were not a strong taste of salt. Very simple and delicious and I sure don’t know if she added other ingredients but every batch was consistently wonderful! Don’t expect a deli dill.