What to do with bitter cucumbers? Nutritionist tells us how to remedy the situation

Nutriciologist, founder of a fruit, vegetable and nutrition delivery service

Why are cucumbers bitter? What to do if you have caught bitter cucumbers?

Cucumber is a simple vegetable, but demanding to the conditions of cultivation. Even to a small discomfort, he can react with bitterness in the taste. That is why many people were told from childhood that the “butts” of cucumbers should not be eaten, it is better to throw them away. Why are vegetables bitter and what to do if you get a bitter cucumber?

Why cucumbers are bitter

Scientifically speaking, the main cause of bitterness is the natural toxic substance cucurbitacin. It is its flavor that we feel. Cucurbitacin is formed in the leaves, after which it is transported to the roots of the plant. This substance is contained in every cucumber, but in a minimal amount.

Nevertheless, the bitter taste is not the only thing this substance possesses. It also has beneficial properties:

• It has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
• reduces the risk of cancer;
• reduces inflammation and cleanses the body.

And what can be dangerous cucumbers, read in the article at the link.

Among the reasons why cucumbers become bitter, we can highlight the lack of moisture, poor watering, heat, poor soil quality or excessive content of sand and clay in it. Even one of these factors can start the accumulation of cucurbitacin in the fruit. If the entire batch of cucumbers you bought is bitter, it means they were grown in poor conditions. Moreover, if the producer or farmer grew cucumbers from bitter seeds, they will grow like that.

What to do if you get bitter cucumbers

Certainly not throw them away. Try one of these options.

Soak or heat them. Under these conditions, cucurbitacin is destroyed. Just put the cucumbers in warm water for about 10 hours.

Or you can add a little sugar, mint or dill to the warm water and put the cucumbers in it for eight hours – the bitterness will hide behind the abundance of herbal flavors.

Canning: canned cucumbers will be free from bitterness.

Make punctures. For example, with a fork or toothpick. So the juice will start to come out of the vegetables and with it – bitterness.

Trim and rinse. Cut off both edges of the cucumber, cut it into two parts, remove the seeds and rinse the cucumber in warm water.

Slice and rinse. If the bitterness is not strong, cut the cucumber in half, sprinkle salt on top, then combine the halves and rub one against the other for 30 seconds – a foamy juice should appear. After rinsing the cucumbers, and you will no longer feel the bitterness.

How to choose the right cucumbers, told in the material at the link.