Measure the length of the cucumber. Armenian cucumbers are longer than most other varieties. English cucumbers are also long, but are usually slightly shorter than Armenian cucumbers. Garden cucumbers, which are the most common variety in North America, are usually shorter than both Armenian and English varieties.
What are the different types of cucumbers?
Slicing Cucumbers
- English Cucumbers. These types of cucumbers are long and slender, with narrower ends.
- Green Fingers Persian Cucumbers.
- Muncher Cucumbers.
- Ashley Cucumbers.
- Diva Cucumbers.
- Sweet Success Cucumbers.
- Straight Eight Cucumbers.
What are the three types of cucumbers?
There are a number of common cucumber varieties—Armenian, English, lemon, Persian—that you may encounter. Not only will this guide help you identify cucumbers, but you’ll also get a few ideas on how to use them.
What is the most common type of cucumber?
One of the most common cucumber types is the English or European cucumber. These cukes are almost seedless, thin skinned without spines and long (1-2 feet in length) (30-61 cm.). They are marketed as a “burpless” cucumbers and have a mild flavor compared to many other types.
How do you tell a pickling cucumber from a regular cucumber?
Pickling cucumbers are shorter and bigger around than slicing cucumbers. They are bred to have thinner skins and black spines so the pickled product will look better. Pickling varieties can be eaten fresh and slicing varieties can be pickled, but the differences can be discerned by the average consumer.
Are baby cucumbers just small cucumbers?
Mini-cucumbers are typically cucumbers that are harvested early, when the fruit is small. They are usually quite tender, and can be consumed with or without the skin. Additionally, some varieties of cucumber have smaller vines and produce smaller fruit as a rule. The mini-cucumber is eaten both raw and pickled.
Which cucumber is best to eat?
The best-tasting cucumbers are those that are slicing cucumbers. English cucumbers don’t have the bitter chemical cucurbitacin that some cucumbers have. They also have higher natural sugar content, making them sweeter. The lack of seeds and thinner skin also English cucumbers more enjoyable to eat.
Are all cucumbers edible?
There are hundreds of varieties of cucumber, and they come in dozens of colors (including white, yellow and orange according to Nutritional Outlook (opens in new tab)), but the edible types are classified as being for either slicing or pickling, according to Cornell University’s Growing Guide (opens in new tab).
What cucumbers are used for pickles?
What kind of cucumbers to use? Kirby cucumbers, which are small with bumpy skin, are the more popular choice for pickling. I prefer Persian cucumbers, which are smaller and have thin skin. If those are not available, I use English cucumbers (again, thin skin that is not waxy).
What is the small cucumber called?
While you may think that Mini Cucumbers are the smallest variety of Cucumber, the smallest is actually the Cocktail Cucumber! Mini Cucumbers typically grow to be 4-6 inches long, while Cocktail Cucumbers are half that size, measuring in at around 2 ½ inches long.
Which cucumbers are not bitter?
Grow Bitterless Cucumbers
These will be labeled as bitter-free or burpless and includes these cultivars: Carmen, County Fair, Diva, Garden Sweet, Green Knight, Marketmore 76, Sweet Slice, Slice More, Sweet Success, Sweeter Yet, and Tasty Green. Step two is to grow them so they form less bitter compounds in the fruit.
What cucumber is sweetest?
Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.
What are the long skinny cucumbers called?
Persian cucumbers are thin-skinned and only grow to be about five to six inches long and remain quite narrow. These baby cukes are nearly seedless and extra crisp rather than watery, and have a mild, sweet flavor that’s easy to fall for.
How can you tell the difference between cucumbers?
Garden cucumbers have a thick skin and their seeds are not noticeable. Kirby cucumbers have a skin that is bumpier than other varieties and their seeds are often undetectable. Pay attention to the taste of the cucumber. Garden cucumbers have a mild taste but their skin is often bitter.
Can I pickle any cucumber?
Pretty much any type of cucumber can be used for pickling, but true “pickling” cucumbers are different than heirlooms, slicers, or Japanese cukes.
Can you pick a cucumber too early?
Cucumbers can’t really be picked too early, though allowing them to ripen to their ideal size will give you the best texture and flavor. Young cucumbers will be sweet, but very crunchy.
How many cucumbers do you get per plant?
10
Depending on who you ask, a healthy cucumber plant can be expected to produce 10 large cukes or 15 small ones within a harvest period of about three weeks.
When should cucumbers be picked?
Harvest cucumbers when they attain at least six to eight inches in length. Keep a watchful eye out for dark green skins and firm fruits. It is best to harvest these beauties on the earlier side to reap the rewards of their sweet flesh and tender seeds. They will grow bigger and can still be eaten when harvested later.
What is the difference between Mini Cucumbers and regular cucumbers?
These varieties exist within two categories – Long English Cucumbers and Mini Cucumbers. Long English Cucumbers are considered the classic Cucumber, whereas Mini Cucumbers look the same as Long English – just in a miniature, snackable form!
Why we should not eat cucumber at night?
It contains an ingredient called cucurbitacin, which is a powerful ingredient, known to cause indigestion problems. Even a little growling or indigestion can lead to flatulence or burping, which again makes it difficult to rest with ease.
Which cucumbers are easiest to digest?
Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that’s easy to digest. The best part: you don’t even need to peel them—just slice ’em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.