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Cucumber

Crunchy and refreshing!

Whether you enjoy a cucumber salad, prefer your cucumbers pickled, or simply add a slice to your water, cucumber always offers a delicious refresher. Packed with water and vitamins, cucumber is perfect for staying hydrated and energised. Discover all about cucumber here and get inspired by new flavour combinations. 

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Types of cucumber

Did you know that there are various cucumber types? They come in different sizes, making them perfect for a variety of dishes.

The ‘regular’ long cucumber is the classic. Ideal for cutting into long, dainty ribbons for a cucumber salad.

Small and crunchy, the snack cucumber is perfect for eating on the go.

Slightly larger than the snack version (about 15 cm), and super convenient if you can't finish a large cucumber, the mini cucumber is perfect for slicing and using in a Greek salad.

Preparing cucumber

Eating cucumber raw

Although cucumbers are often eaten raw, there’s a wide range of ways to get creative with them. For example, grated cucumber is perfect for a fresh tzatziki and cucumber ribbons are perfect for making a pretty salad. Have you ever heard of bruised cucumber? It’s traditionally an Asian preparation method. Lightly bruising the cucumber makes the flavours of herbs and spices absorb better. 

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Cucumber wok

In many Asian cuisines, it is quite common to stir-fry cucumbers. Simply cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, scrape out the seeds, cut them into the desired thickness and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes. 

Have you heard about the wok cucumber? It’s a recent development, contains less moisture than traditional cucumbers and has a firmer skin. This allows it to withstand heat better. Perfect for those stir fries!

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delicious
recipes
with cucumber

Smashed crunchy cucumber salad with mint and Asian-style dressing
Cook time
25 min
Cucumber matcha cake
Cook time
30 min
Cucumber cocktail
Cook time
30 min
Lamb kofta with 'Tiny Q's' cucumbers and yoghurt sauce
Cook time
60 min
Middle Eastern 'Tiny Q' cucumber salad
Cook time
10 min
Rice paper rolls with cucumber and peanut sauce
Cook time
30 min
Korean cucumber salad (oi muchim)
Cook time
10 min
Veggies
100%
Cucumber/pineapple juice with a splash of coconut milk
Cook time
5 min
Oriental salad with baby cucumbers and a spicy dressing
Cook time
30 min
Mezze platter with baby cucumbers, beetroot spread and tzatziki
Cook time
20 min
Veggies
98%
More delicious recipes

did you know

Buying and Storing Flavour pairings Hacks and tips Cucumber in season
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Buying and Storing Cucumbers

A cucumber is at its best when it feels firm and has an even green colour. Soft or yellowing cucumbers not only lose their crispness but also develop a slightly sour taste. Cucumbers are traditionally stored in the fridge in the UK, but did you know that they can also be stored in a cool, dry place such as on your worktop?

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The Best Flavor Combinations with Cucumber

Whilst pickled cucumber and the viral TikTok cucumber salad are currently stealing the spotlight, this vegetable has so much more to offer. Get inspired by these flavour pairings:

  • Vegetables: Chili pepper, tomato, onion
  • Nuts, seeds: Sesame seeds
  • Herbs and spices: Dill, coriander, mint, garlic
  • Fruit: Lemon, lime, melon
  • Dairy: Yogurt, feta
  • Other: Vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce, salmon

 

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Cucumber Tip

Trying to stay more hydrated? Add a cucumber to your daily diet! This vegetable is made up of over 90% water and contains vitamins C and K. Not only does it serve as a natural thirst quencher, but it also gives you a great health boost!

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When Are Cucumbers in Season?

 The UK peak cucumber season runs from June to September.

FAQ
Cucumber

Cucumber can be a beneficial addition to a healthy diet that supports maintaining good blood pressure. However, if you have high blood pressure, eating cucumber alone is not enough to lower it.
Cucumber contains potassium, a mineral that helps regulate blood pressure by counteracting the effects of sodium (salt). In 100 grams of cucumber (about a quarter of a cucumber) with the skin, there is 187 mg of potassium, which is about 5% of the daily requirement for an adult. Other potassium-rich foods include avocado, spinach, tomatoes, potatoes, and bananas.

There is often some confusion between cucumbers and pickles. While they come from the same family, there is a key difference: raw pickles have little flavor. That’s why they are preserved in vinegar, with added salt and sugar. These extra ingredients make pickles less healthy than fresh cucumbers.

Cucumbers are best known for their high water content (more than 95%), but they also contain beneficial nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and iron. In 100 grams of cucumber, there is approximately 1.1 mg of iron.
While cucumbers provide a moderate amount of iron, other vegetables, such as spinach, purslane, and Swiss chard, contain higher amounts. Your overall diet ultimately determines whether you get enough iron.