This was months ago now someone made a pickle post. Pickling is super interesting and was a great next step to expand my gardening skills. I learned a lot and am still learning a lot, but pickling is such a powerful thing and I'm already thinking about all the things I'll do differently in my garden next year. I feel very inspired to deepen my skills and knowledge for the first time in years of gardening.
Also thanks to @DirtbagVegan for the Pickle Crisp suggestion.
They are.
You could go to the best reviewed local Japanese restaurant in person - keyword: friendly - and ask if you can get a takeout selection of tsukemono because you're interested in making them. Unless the manager is a jerk - I bet they'd give you a bunch and not charge you that much. There's a huge range of tastes and mouthfeels that text really can't explain that well unless the writer is an artist.