Pickles can start out as a variety of vegetables, including cucumbers, carrots, onions, beets, and green beans. However, the most common type of pickle is the cucumber pickle. Cucumbers are soaked in a vinegar solution with added salt, sugar, and spices to create their characteristic sour and crunchy taste. Other vegetables undergo a similar process, but may have different spices and flavorings added to the solution to create unique taste profiles. Pickling is a method of preserving vegetables that has been used for centuries, and remains a popular method of adding flavor and texture to dishes.