What Can We Learn From a Cornichon?

Why cornichons?

Cornichons are small, pickled cucumbers that have played an important role in European food culture. “When we started this project,” Marianne explains, “we wanted a food that students could connect with – not just in terms of eating it, but also growing it, learning about its story, and understanding its role in European culture”. The cornichon ticked every box. It’s familiar, easy to grow in a classroom garden, and rich in history. Plus, as Marianne jokes, “Who doesn’t love a good pickle?”

Working alongside her colleagues Aurélie Joly, Fanny Chardon, and Marie Gabrielle Domizi, the team crafted a lesson plan that’s packed with playful, hands-on learning. “We believe food education should be joyful,” she says. “It’s about sparking curiosity – whether that’s about taste, plant growth, or the fascinating quirks of food traditions around the world”.

Fun fact: Cucumbers can grow from seed to harvest within a few short months, making them ideal for classroom gardening projects!

The value for students and teachers

Angelika was responsible for piloting the lesson plan in her classroom. For students, she says the main value is in developing curiosity about their food and the natural world. It helps strengthen observation skills, language development, and awareness of early science concepts like plant growth.

For teachers, it’s a flexible, easy-to-use resource that integrates cross-curricular learning. “You can even adapt it depending on your students’ age and interests,” says Marianne.

A surprising ingredient for learning

Did you know?

Cornichons have been enjoyed for hundreds of years – even the ancient Egyptians were fans.
In Germany, cornichon juice is thought to cure migraines, while in the USA, pickles are sometimes sold as cinema snacks.
Pregnant women in Czechia famously crave pickles and ice cream, a combination that’s more popular than you’d think!

It’s these kinds of fun facts that make the lesson plan sparkle with personality. As students learn about the cornichon’s significance through time and across countries, they also develop a deeper understanding of food’s place in human culture.

A journey through the senses

One of the lesson plan’s highlights is its gardening component. Since cornichons grow quickly, they’re ideal for classroom cultivation. Students can monitor the plant’s growth through sketches or observational journals, learning how to track developmental stages and understand what a plant needs to thrive.

In later lessons, students can explore food preservation through pickling, dive into the science of taste, and experiment with flavour pairings in a tasting session.

Encouraging curiosity with cornichons

According to Angeliki, “children are naturally curious, and lessons like this one give them the chance to connect with the world in meaningful ways”. By integrating real objects in the classroom, we can nurture a sense of wonder, observation, and critical thinking.

Beyond the science, the lesson plan also helps foster a more mindful relationship with food. “Children are more likely to try and enjoy unfamiliar vegetables if they’ve grown or prepared them themselves”, Marianne says. “That simple act of care – of watering a plant and watching it grow – helps children connect with what they eat”.

And while the cornichon may be small, its educational value is anything but. Marianne states: “Food education doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, all it takes is one simple, relatable item to unlock rich learning experiences. This lesson plan is a great example of how creativity, science, and cultural appreciation can come together in one small jar”.

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