An illustrated history of the ever-popular New York pickle told with amazing archival images and ephemera from the New York Historical and beyond.

The Pickled City takes a glorious deep dive into the history of the iconic brined cucumber by tracing the pickle’s journey from ancient Mesopotamia to Eastern Europe to Manhattan’s Lower East Side, unearthing a hidden world of family stories and economic contributions that helped shape New York’s cultural, culinary, and literal foundations.

With a foreword by pickle pioneer Sandor Katz and an astonishing wealth of photographs, historical images, documents, illustrations, advertisements, and more, this unique food biography includes:

• A brief history of the pickle from 2400 BCE – 2026.
• An overview of the rise of the pickle industry in the United States, which has grown substantially in recent years.
• Profiles of immigrant families and their iconic pickle companies, including enduring brands like Katz, Heinz, Underwood, and Vlasic.
• A survey of the profusion of pickle peddlers, stands, and stores across the Lower East Side from 1850 – 1980, exploring how the pickle industry was born and survived through decades of change, with playful text and incredible archival images.
• The stories behind New York’s most recognizable pickle stores and brands, including Guss’ Pickles, The Pickleman, The Pickle Guys, Russ & Daughters, Katz’s Deli, and Ba-Tampte.
• And much more!

Written and illustrated with warmth and humor, this culinary chronicle is perfect for anyone curious about how the pickle became such a popular snack choice, gourmet condiment, and TikTok sensation. It’s for food lovers, pickle mavens, Jewish readers, New Yorkers, deli aficionados, history buffs, readers interested in gut health, bubbies around the globe, and anyone who can trace roots to the Lower East Side.

“This book traces the history of the art of food preservation to make the case that ‘what began as a means of survival has evolved into a celebration of flavor and culture, connecting people across continents and generations’…. What we really learn is that the ‘spice of life’ is no cliché but rather a necessity, and whenever we bite into spears or slices, we bring back memories of struggle, hope, and love.” —Kirkus Reviews

Paul van Ravestein and Monique Mulder are the principals of Mattmo, a branding agency in Amsterdam specializing in culinary history.