I've always wanted to write about Gherkin

I've always wanted to write about the gherkin. Is it just a small, early-harvested cucumber? Why the spiky skin? Now that I have so many growing in our greenhouse - I can harvest almost daily - I thought it was time look into it. Why are the ‘cornichons’ I eat in France so much more sour than here at home in the Netherlands? If you've also been walking around with these questions for ages, and I am almost certain you have, read on.