The Ultimate Guide to Cucumbers | America’s Test Kitchen
American (Slicing) Cucumbers: The most common variety. Because they are almost always waxed to increase shelf life, you will want to peel the skin. They contain large seeds that need to be scooped out, leading to a fair amount of kitchen waste.
English (Hot House / European) Cucumbers: These long, shrink-wrapped cucumbers act as a low-waste alternative. The plastic wrap protects their thin skin, meaning you don’t have to peel them, and their “seedless” interiors feature tiny, immature seeds that you can easily eat.
Persian (Mini) Cucumbers: A favorite for crudité platters and dipping into hummus. They boast a delicate, melony flavor and tiny seeds that require zero prep or removal.
Kirby Cucumbers: The absolute best choice for summer pickling. While they are perfectly great sliced up fresh in a salad, look for Kirbys if you want a pickle that maintains a loud, satisfying snap.
There is nothing more refreshing than a crisp cucumber on a hot summer day. Jack Bishop breaks down the four most common cucumber varieties so you know exactly what to buy for salads, dips, and pickles.
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CUCUMBERS are NOT a vegetable … they are a FRUIT
No mention of grocery cucumbers having ZERO flavor.
The American cucumber I peel them before I eat them, the rest of the cucumbers I just washed and eat them.
Persian cucumbers were a game-changer for me. Haven’t used any of the other variety since trying them.
I've grown what we call the little pickler for years they have more flavor than anything I've tried just don't let them get to big
LOve this guy!
I've seen this guy do a lot of videos on this channel, and I must say he's never right about anything. He says the screwiest stuff of anybody on any channel on YouTube.
Why would you remove the seeds on the American cucumber?
Skip cutting them and put them in the trash!
I like the seeds!
If the plastic wrap serves the same purpose as the wax does that mean we should not eat that? I tired it both ways and the wrap does not taste good. Just saying
this is the first time I didn't agree with all the advice. The wax on the American cucumber is unnoticeable and the seeds are fine to leave in. I use American cucumbers for pickling also and I never peel them. The seeds are only tough if the cucumber is way too large.
I never peel or seed a cucumber. Why would I? 😎🍹🌴
Stick with Persian cucumbers, you don’t need to remove anything🥰
I never remove the seeds when I eat one sliced with salt or when I put them in a salad, and I love 'em.
lol Persian cucumber first developed in…. Israel!!
What! I never remove the seeds lemon salt chili powder gone
🌈🌈
Our grandmother would remove the seeds when mixing chopped cucumber with laban (yogurt) and mint. Otherwise, the mixture became too watery. That same 3 ingredient base welcomes a slew of other ingredients, whatever you think works. 🤤
I am guessing they only wax them in America?
English cucumber all the way!
So…do you need to peel the Persian cucumbers or not???
Had a bumper crop and looked for ways to use them up. Peeled they went straight into the blender with lemon juice sugar and ice for a refreshing drink. 98% water is no joke.