All about Cucumbers, from how to pick out cucumbers, how to eat cucumbers, how to store them, grow them and more.
What are Cucumbers?
Cucumbers are a part of the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Cucumbers are typically straight although some may curl a bit due issues like poor pollination, watering, heat, etc.
Cucumbers can be all different colors from green, yellow, orange, or white depending on the variety. That being said, if it should be green and it gets over ripe it will change colors. An overripe cucumber will turn yellow and then orange.
A good cucumber will have a crisp, refreshing texture. Cucumbers can be enjoyed both raw and pickled and are a common ingredient in green salad, pasta salad, relish, sandwiches, and various dishes worldwide. Looking for an easy and quick recipe for pickles? Try out our Refrigerator Dill Pickles Recipe!
What do Cucumbers taste like?
Cucumbers have a mild, refreshing taste with a hint of sweetness and a slight bitterness near skin. The flesh is crisp and juicy. They’re a great addition to summer salads, even ones with fruit like our Watermelon Salad with Cucumber and Mint.
If your fresh grown cucumbers are bitter you can remove the ends and then rub the ends onto the cut piece of the cucumber. The bitterness is mostly concentrated at the ends of the cucumber.
What types of Cucumbers are there?
There are over 100 types of cucumbers, so let’s discuss the most common.
- Slicing Cucumbers: These are the most common type of cucumber. They are large, with thick skins and are ideal for fresh eating. We always use them in salads when growing our marketmore cucumbers.
- Pickling Cucumbers: These are commonly referred to as Kirby cucumbers. They are smaller, shorter, and have thinner skin when compared to slicing cucumbers. These are perfect for making canned pickles or refrigerator pickles.
- Seedless/European Cucumbers: Also known as hothouse cucumbers, they are long, thin, and have fewer seeds. They are often wrapped in plastic to preserve them. I have yet to find any not wrapped in stores. We love these for our Israeli Salad.
- Lemon Cucumbers: These are round and yellow, these cucumbers have a lemon-like appearance and a slightly sweeter taste than traditional cucumbers. They’re naturally yellow and not overripe.
- Persian Cucumbers: These are small, thin-skinned, and usually about 4-6 inches long. They are seedless or have very small seeds and have a smooth texture. We use them in our salads like Shirazi Salad.
- Cocktail Cucumbers: Small, crunchy, and usually only around 2-4 inches long. They are perfect for snacking and have a mild, sweet taste.
- Gherkins: These cucumbers are pretty small and very bumpy. They’re usually around 1-3 inches long. They are primarily used for pickling and have a crunchy texture and tart flavor. Perfect to use with a skewer and topping onto a burger or sandwich.
What’s the difference between cucumber varieties?
- Slicing Cucumbers: Best for fresh consumption as they have a thicker skin.
- Pickling Cucumbers: Ideal for pickling due to their thinner skin.
- Seedless/European Cucumbers: Fewer seeds and often greenhouse-grown.
- Lemon Cucumbers: Yellow skin and slightly sweeter taste.
- Persian Cucumbers: Small, thin-skinned, and usually seedless with a smooth texture.
- Cocktail Cucumbers: Very small, crunchy, and sweet making them ideal for snacking.
- Gherkins: Tiny, bumpy cucumbers perfect for pickling with a tart flavor and crunchy texture.
How to Pick Out Cucumbers
Look for cucumbers that are firm and have a bright, even color. A good cucumber should feel heavy for its size.
Avoid cucumbers with blemishes, soft spots, or wrinkled skin. If it feels spongey, put it down.
Cucumber Benefits
- Hydration: High water content helps keep you hydrated.
- Nutrient-Rich: Good source of vitamins K and C, potassium, and magnesium.
- Low in Calories: Ideal for weight management.
- Antioxidants: Contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation.
When are Cucumbers in Season?
Cucumbers are typically in season from late spring through summer. However, greenhouse-grown cucumbers can be available year-round to keep supermarkets supplied and your salad happy!
How to Grow Cucumbers
- Planting: Sow seeds in well-drained soil with full sunlight. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. We prefer direct sowing instead of doing starts indoors.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Support: Use trellises or bamboo stakes for supports for vining varieties to keep the fruits off the ground.
- Fertilizing: We like to use an organic fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
- Pest Control: Watch for common pests like aphids and cucumber beetles!
- Harvesting: Harvest cucumbers when they are firm and green. Overripe cucumbers can become bitter. Harvesting often will also signal to the plant to keep producing. If you allow the cucumbers to over ripen on the vine the plant will go into seed mode.
How long does it take cucumbers to grow?
It can take about 50-80 days from seed to harvest for cucumbers.
We also recommend succession planting to keep the harvest going throughout the growing season. About 3 weeks after planting a seed, plant another next to it. This is extremely beneficial if you lose your plants often to pests or weather elements.
How to Store Cucumbers
Store cucumbers in the refrigerator, preferably in the veggie drawer. They typically last for around a week.
How to Enjoy Cucumbers
- Salads: Add sliced cucumbers to your favorite salads for extra crunch. We love them in our Salad in a Jar, Chickpea Salad, or even a Cucumber Salad.
- Snacks: Enjoy them with dips like hummus or tzatziki.
- Infused Water: Add cucumber slices to water for a refreshing drink.
- Pickles: Make homemade pickles with vinegar, salt, and spices.
- Sandwiches: Add slices to sandwiches, chicken pita and wraps for a fresh taste.
- Vegetable Platters: We love whipping up an easy vegetable platter or even a themed one like our Christmas Veggie Tray
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