Tannins to make crisp pickles

[Dani]

I have read that you can use grape leaves, oak leaves and even horseradish leaves when making pickles so that they stay crunchy because of the tannins. I've done the pickling lime, but not able to buy locally. My mom brought me some when she had gone to visit relatives in CO but that is almost gone. Have also used alum, but that can get pricey. I've had grapes in the past but those were killed back during Rita and I never did replant. I have plenty of white and red oaks, even scrub oaks (not sure if they have tannins) and also horseradish is very plentiful. Any of you, used either of these for pickles?

 

[NannyPatty]

I have read that you can use grape leaves, oak leaves and even horseradish leaves when making pickles so that they stay crunchy because of the tannins. I've done the pickling lime, but not able to buy locally. My mom brought me some when she had gone to visit relatives in CO but that is almost gone. Have also used alum, but that can get pricey. I've had grapes in the past but those were killed back during Rita and I never did replant. I have plenty of white and red oaks, even scrub oaks (not sure if they have tannins) and also horseradish is very plentiful. Any of you, used either of these for pickles?

Can you order pickling lime from Amazon? I’ve heard of grape leaves but not the other.

 

[NannyPatty]

I just looked. Amazon has Mrs Wages pickling lime $20 for 3 1lb bags and you can add on another for $2.95. (Prime)

 

[Peanut]

All the oaks can be used in herbal medicine because they are astringent (tannins). The most potent of all of them are white oaks, the inner bark.

 

[Dani]

I could order online, but I hate having to use a credit card. Just too many people have identity stolen buying stuff online. My sis had her stolen twice that I know of and her husband once. No thanks. I make do with what I can buy local or with what I can find in place of and if I can use the oak leaves, that's a freebie for me .

 

[Peanut]

Not oak leaves, only use the inner bark. It requires a draw knife or a quality machete. You have to cut off the outer bark to get to the cambium cell layer that is the growing part of the trunk... It's the good stuff. You can get a draw knife at Northern Tool for about 30 bucks. I like the one I bought from them.

 

[Dani]

Ok Peanut. Thanks! Since yesterday batch I added leaves than it may not work . I guess I thought all parts of the oak had the tannins in them.

Today, I'm making up Bread n Butter pickles and going to add in horseradish leaves to try out to see if that will work like the grape leaves. Next time I will look for the inner bark of the oak.

 

[Meerkat]

All the oaks can be used in herbal medicine because they are astringent (tannins). The most potent of all of them are white oaks, the inner bark.

Peanut, thanks for info.

 

[hiwall]

Don't the tannins change the taste? I would think it would make them bitter.

Sure is a huge difference in the taste of acorns when the tannins are removed.

 

[Terri9630]

Do you have any old hardware stores around? Some carry canning supplies and can order the lime for you. True value did for me.

 

[Dani]

I asked at our local M&D hardware, which is an Ace. It was a no. Even asked about Tattler lids.

 

[Terri9630]

I asked at our local M&D hardware, which is an Ace. It was a no. Even asked about Tattler lids.

Really? Our T V carries the tattlers.

 

[Dani]

Maybe I just asked the wrong person if the store could order. I do check every store we go into for the Tattler and have yet to find any in my area or moms when I take her shopping.

 

[Terri9630]

Maybe I just asked the wrong person if the store could order. I do check every store we go into for the Tattler and have yet to find any in my area or moms when I take her shopping.

I hope you can find it. Shipping is a killer. Our Wal-Mart and local grocery store both carry the pickeling lime.

 

[camo2460]

Do you have any Wild Grapes near by? Their Leaves can be used in place of Domesticated Varieties.

 

[Dani]

No grape leaves near by. I do appreciate suggestions on what else to try out though! I am waiting a couple weeks before I try these jars out to see.