By
Jasmine Kaur
Updated:Jun 22, 2022
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The pickled eggs that were popular bar snacks a few decades ago seem to have lost their prominence amidst other crispy and fried munchies.
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iStock, Pickled eggs were a nutritious bar snack that were believed to prevent excessive hangovers.
Usually, when you head to a bar, you’d order some peanuts and fried chicken to go with your booze. However, that wasn’t the case in the 17th century US and UK. Eggs were a huge deal in pubs and bars during that time. In fact, pickled eggs were the go-to bar snack in the late 1830s in England. For the unversed, pickled eggs were hard-boiled eggs that were peeled and dipped in a vinegar marinade, with salt and a few spices. These were paired with co*cktails and other boozy drinks by the patrons and enjoyed to the core. While it is surprising to note that eggs, which are actually a breakfast item in many parts of the world, were served at bar tops along with G & Ts.
Source: iStock
The idea of this kind of food pairing is believed to have been inspired by the French who had a surplus amount of eggs in their country and made it a practice to give away hard-boiled eggs for free. This started featuring in bars because of the regulation that bars should be serving food along with liquor. The interesting bit is that there is some scientific connection to this tradition too. It is believed that the an amino acid called cysteine present in the eggs, aids the functioning of the liver and works well to prevent excessive hangovers.
This is followed by the simple logic that when you’re munching on something while taking a drink, it helps to mellow down the effect of the booze. Consuming eggs at the side adds a certain nutritional value to your bar snacking. The pickled eggs were a feasible snack for the bars since they had longer shelf-life even without refrigeration for a few hours and were suitable for bar-like conditions. In fact, having eggs alongside drinks was also believed to induce customers to order more alcohol.
In England too, it is believed that the culture of pickled eggs was quite popular in the 1830s, served in what was called the Pickled Egg House. However, today, you’d find it hard to locate bars and pubs offers hard-boiled pickled eggs as snacks, except for one or two odd dive bars in the US.
FAQs
The presence of pickled eggs in barrooms most likely started in 17th century France, where a national egg surplus – as well as a requirement that establishments serving liquor must also serve food – led to hard-boiling them as free bar snacks.
What is the meaning of pickled eggs? ›
Pickled eggs are typically hard-boiled eggs that are cured in vinegar or brine. As with many foods, this was originally a way to preserve the food so that it could be eaten months later.
Why are eggs in a bar? ›
The point, then, was to offer some sustenance to counter co*cktails so patrons wouldn't get sloppily drunk, but the eggs were also there to make people thirsty enough to order more drinks. Now, nary a hard-boiled egg – with shell – can be found on bars, mostly because of legal sanctions.
Are pickled eggs bad for cholesterol? ›
Cholesterol. One drawback of whole eggs is that they are high in cholesterol, so if you're watching your cholesterol intake, avoid the consumption of whole eggs. You can, however, eat pickled eggs with no yolk, as they are cholesterol-free; the fatty yolk is the source of the egg's cholesterol.
What is the story behind pickled eggs? ›
Pickled eggs were widely made and eaten by Germans as early as the mid-1700s. They were a popular food with German immigrants, especially the Hessian mercenaries fighting against Colonists during the Revolutionary War. Many early recipes come from the Pennsylvania Dutch.
Why do people eat pickled eggs with alcohol? ›
Served with a sprinkling of salt, eggs encourage revelers to drink more but help them stay within the blurry lines of sobriety if they do so. There's also nutritional logic attached to pairing eggs with alcohol: Eggs contain cysteine, a key amino acid that aids liver function and, crucially, helps prevent hangovers.
What happens when you put an egg in alcohol? ›
When you shake an egg white in a co*cktail, proteins realign and stretch out to create new links, capturing air bubbles in the process. This changes its color from clear to white and causes it to expand in volume. It's like the protein realignment that happens when you cook an egg, minus the heat.
Why put a hole in an egg? ›
This leaves the egg with a flattened end. Pricking the egg provides a quick escape route for the air, which gives you an egg with a smoothly rounded end. If you prick an egg, watch for a jet of air shooting from the hole as the egg cooks. Scientists disagree on the other possible benefits of pricking an egg.
How many pickled eggs should you eat a day? ›
How many pickled eggs should (can) I eat a day? So, we did some more digging, and found that eating one egg a day wasn't going to kill you; in fact, it may actually REDUCE heart disease. Other studies have shown no ill effects on people who have consumed up to 12 eggs a week!
Are pickled eggs good for your gut? ›
Pickled Eggs are Good for Your Gut Health. First off, did you know that pickled eggs are good for your digestive health? A serving of fermented pickled eggs will usually contain various types of gut flora that can aid in digestion. These microbes are known as probiotics!
For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.
Why do people put eggs in alcoholic drinks? ›
Eggs are primarily used in co*cktails for mouthfeel and texture, rather than taste. Egg whites create a creamier texture and thick layer of foam on top of your drink. Shaking eggs in co*cktails is akin to making a meringue.
Why do bartenders add eggs? ›
Egg white adds viscosity and mouthfeel to co*cktails and drinks such as sours only taste their best when made with added egg white. Egg white can also add an attractive foamy head to co*cktails and the amount of foam produced can be extenuated using a Dry Shake.
Why did people put eggs in beer? ›
Incorporating a raw egg into beer is not a new concept. It's a tradition that dates back to colonial times in America, where it evolved into a drink known as a flip. In Pennsylvania, the tradition of adding an egg to your beer was believed to be a hangover cure, a belief that soon spread to New Jersey.
Are pickled eggs still good for you? ›
Pickled eggs are a great healthy snack to have in the fridge. The recipe is simple, easy to follow, and requires only a few ingredients. You will love the flavor of the spices and garlic in the pickling brine.
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Source: iStock