Tips

Buy Cucumber: How to Choose Fresh, Crunchy, Bitter-free Ones – Observe These 4 Key Points

When selecting cucumbers, it is recommended to choose straight, elongated ones and avoid those that are bulging in the middle.

Administrator

19 January, 2024

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Reasons for the bitterness of cucumbers

The bitterness of cucumbers is inherent in the genes of this fruit. Cucumbers belong to the Cucurbit family and are related to watermelons and pumpkins… The natural Cucurbit family often contains cucurbitacin B, C, and tetracyclic triterpenoids. These are the compounds that give cucumbers their bitter taste.

The bitterness of cucumbers is actually a self-defense mechanism of this plant to avoid being attacked by certain animals.

Typically, the bitterness of cucumbers is concentrated at the bottom of the stem, just below the skin of the fruit.

Bitter cucumbers can be due to various reasons. One is that the plant is deprived of water for a prolonged period, causing the fruit to become bitter.

In addition, during the cultivation process, if too much nitrogen is applied and the plant grows excessively, the branches or weak parts of the stem are more prone to bitterness.

In the growth process, lack of sunlight and low temperatures cause the plant to absorb less water and nutrients, leading to the accumulation of bitter substances, resulting in bitter-tasting fruit.

High temperatures and low humidity in the cucumber growing area also make the fruit less sweet.

Tips for choosing delicious cucumbers

Color of cucumber fruits

To choose delicious cucumbers, you need to observe the skin of the fruit. A good cucumber will have a fresh green color, evenly colored, and not yellowish.

Avoid choosing fruits with yellow spots as they are signs of withering and damage. Such cucumbers will not taste good, crispy, and may be bitter.

White powdery layer on the skin

Fresh cucumbers often have a thin white powdery layer on the skin. This powdery layer helps retain water and freshness of the fruit. Cucumbers with this powdery layer are usually more fresh, crispy, and sweet.

If you choose this type of cucumber, you need to wash it thoroughly with water diluted with lemon juice, vinegar, or warm water before using.

Shape of cucumber fruits

It is recommended to choose elongated cucumbers with uniform sizes for denser and crispier flesh compared to shorter and rounder ones. Avoid choosing curved cucumbers.

Avoid choosing cucumbers with bulging middles and small heads as they are signs of overripe cucumbers with more seeds, which may not taste good when eaten.

Size of cucumber fruits

Choose cucumbers that feel heavy in your hand, soft, with smooth skin and no rough spots. Smaller cucumbers tend to be sweeter than larger ones.

How to store cucumbers

If you don’t eat cucumbers immediately after buying them, there is no need to wash them. If the cucumber skins are dirty, simply wipe them clean with a cloth. Keep the whole cucumber in a plastic bag or a lidded container and store it in the refrigerator. Cucumbers kept in the refrigerator can be stored for about 10 days without affecting their quality.

When eating, simply take out the cucumber, wash it thoroughly, and prepare it according to your preference.

Cucumbers can be eaten raw, made into salads, pickles, kimchi… all are delicious.

Some solutions to reduce the bitterness of cucumbers

Rubbing the stem end of the fruit

This is a simple trick that many people use to reduce the bitterness of cucumbers. First, cut off the stem end of the cucumber, then take the remaining portion and rub it in a circular motion. You will see a white foam appear at the edge of the cucumber. That is the cucurbitacin that causes the bitterness of the fruit. Cut off the remaining stem and rub it to remove the bitterness from the cucumber.

Using salt

Using salt also helps reduce the bitterness of cucumbers.

Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and sprinkle some salt on each half of the cucumber, then rub the two halves together. At this point, white foam will appear. Simply rinse off the foam, and the bitterness will be reduced.

Source: Khoevadep (translation)