Cucumbers are definitely a vegetable associated with the taste of summer. No wonder, this is when we reach for them most often and when we start preparing preserves for the winter. However, one mistake can ruin the taste of cucumber salad, salad or jarred pickles.
Why are cucumbers bitter? All because of one substance
The characteristic bitterness is caused by the presence of , a substance that is released when the plant “fights for survival” and is exposed to stress and unfavorable conditions. It most often accumulates in cucumber stalks. Fruits that ripen during periods of drought, frost and lack of sunlight will have the most bitterness. In the case of self-grown vegetables, just remember to water them, get the right amount of sun and fertilize them. Bitter cucumbers are often brought from the store and changing them will help. Then what?
Cucumbers Photo Martyna Tonderys / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
How to get rid of bitterness from cucumbers? Reach for a proven method
Do you dream of fresh, firm, juicy and refreshing cucumbers, but when you cut them into a salad or sandwich, it turns out that you got an extremely tasteless and bitter one? The problem may lie in a very simple mistake, namely in the way you peel the cucumber.
Cucurbitacin most often accumulates in this dark part of the field cucumber. To get rid of bitterness, just use grandma’s method and always peel the cucumber from the light side to the dark side, and never the other way around. Thanks to this, you will not spread the unpleasant taste throughout the cucumber. As a last resort, you can also simply cut off the dark end and throw it into the compost.
ADVICE! To reduce the bitterness of cucumbers before further processing, you can soak them in cold water for a few hours. Thanks to this, their taste will be better, and they will be perfect when eaten with little salt, in curry or pickled.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
