Cucumbers. Cukes hold a special place in my heart, as they are one of my all-time favorite fruits to enjoy throughout the year. I love them as a crunchy and refreshing ingredient to a salad, sandwich, tzatziki, or sushi. Cucumber in drinks is also delicious. And, during my pregnancy, I developed an insatiable craving for Gherkin pickles! Interestingly, my daughter, who has grown to love cucumbers in all their forms and varieties, has a particular fondness for pickles because of my pregnancy cravings.

As she prepares to embark on her college journey in the coming month, I wanted to dedicate this post to the versatile cucumber. This fruit holds a nostalgic significance for both of us. Now that you know the personal backstory, let’s delve into the nutritional value, skin benefits, and diverse varieties. I will also be sharing helpful tips on purchasing and storing cucumbers. Finally, I will share a few mouth-watering recipes for food, drink, and skin care products from GFL.

Nutritional Value

Cucumber is an excellent source of hydration. It’s no wonder that the expression ‘cool as a cucumber’ comes from the fact that cucumbers are made of almost 96% water, so even on a scorching day, the inside of cucumbers remains cooler than the outside air. So, on hot summer days, cucumbers are a good choice to stay refreshed. Also, cucumbers are considered a natural diuretic because of their high-water content, helping the body produce more urine to eliminate toxins.

Cucumbers are also a good source of many vitamins but know that many of those nutrients are under the peel. A cucumber provides vitamins (K, A, C, B1, B2, B5, B6, and B9); minerals (potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, zinc, manganese, copper); and antioxidants (flavonoids). These may decrease the risk of inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, a PubMed research shows that cucumbers have the potential for anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering properties. Moreover, the skin and the cucumber seeds are good fiber sources. The seeds have a cooling effect on the body and alleviate constipation.

Skin Benefits

Beyond their nutritional properties, cucumbers are also valued for their hydrating and anti-inflammatory benefits on our skin. It’s no wonder you often see people with cucumbers on their eyes in spa advertising pictures because the enzymes and antioxidants in the cucumber slices have a cooling effect that reduces puffiness and soothes tired eyes. Cucumber is often used as an ingredient in skin toner to reduce inflammation and prevent acne. Furthermore, the vitamin C in cucumber promotes skin brightness and lightens dark spots. Also, the phytochemicals in the cucumber tighten the skin.

Varieties

We’ve seen names such as English and Persian cukes. But have you ever wondered where cucumbers originated? About 4,000 years ago, cucumbers came from India and have spread across ancient civilizations, including Greece, Rome, Europe, and China. Today, it is cultivated worldwide. Unsurprisingly, many varieties of shapes, sizes, and colors exist for you to explore.  

• Armenian: Crunchy and delicious for eating raw. It has soft seeds and thin skin. Not suitable for pickling because of its soft texture. 
• Burpless: This hybridized variety has low cucurbitacin, a chemical compound that causes bitterness and burping in some individuals. As a result, burpless cukes have thin skin, sweeter and less bitter taste, and may cause less gas and bloating for those with a sensitive digestive tract. This variety is best eaten raw, and its soft texture is not ideal for a crunchy pickle. 
• English: It has a bland flavor and is known for its thick skin and minimal seeds. Best for eating raw and not suitable for pickling. 
• Garden: Most common in North America. The skin is smooth, dark green, and typically waxed. The seeds are big and plenty and may require de-seeding before being used in recipes. Suitable for pickling. 
• Gherkin: Small cukes that are used for pickling. They are known as cornichons in France. 
• Kirby: Short bumpy cucumbers with skin color from yellow to dark green. They can be eaten raw and used for pickling. 
• Lemon: Round and have thin skin, minimal soft seeds. The flavor is a little sweet, and are excellent in salads and pickles.
• Persian: Similar in taste to the English cucumber but come in a greater range of lengths. These are great for salads, and their firm texture makes them suitable for stir-frying. 

Buying Tips

• Organic vs. non-organic. Choose organic when possible to minimize pesticide residues, abundant in conventional cucumber. If you purchase a non-organic cucumber, wash the skin well or peel it. 
• Firm vs. soft. Check for firmness to guarantee a crisp and refreshing bite. 
• Unwaxed vs. waxed. Food-grade wax coating is applied to most cucumbers after harvest except those that are shrink-wrapped. Be mindful that washing off the wax can be labor intensive. Peeling the skin may be a better option. 

Storing Tips

• Waxed or Wrapped: Cucumbers with wax or wrap can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
• Unwaxed: Unwaxed cucumbers can stay fresh in the crisper for about a week when loosely wrapped in plastic.
• Leftovers: Store any unused portion tightly wrapped in plastic in the fridge for use within a day or two.

GFL Curated Cucumber Recipes and Products

Explore new flavors and impress your friends and family with any of these recipes and products.

Mouth-watering Cucumber Recipes

• Andrew Zimmern’s Cucumber Mint Lemonade
• Cucumber Water with Ginger, Mint, and Lemon
• Bon Appetit Greek Tzatziki Sauce
• Cucumber Avocado Salad
• Asian Smashed Cucumber Salad
• Stuffed Cucumber Sushi Roll
• Dill Pickles
• Green Gin Giant Cocktail

Cucumber Facial and Eye Masks

• Healthline Cucumber Face Mask Recipes
• Sephora Cucumber Hydrating Eye Mask

Cucumber Facial Toner

• Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-free Toner

Takeaway

We all can agree that cucumbers are versatile. Whether you enjoy cucumbers in salads, sandwiches, drinks, or skincare products, they have something special to offer. From its hydrating and nutritious properties to soothing tired eyes and promoting healthy skin, the different varieties of cucumbers have earned their spot as a beloved favorite on Gina’s list.