Bitterness In Cucumbers

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Often a seemingly beautiful cucumber, it tastes bitter. What is the reason for the bitter taste in cucumbers, and how to prevent the occurrence of bitterness? How can you get rid of the already appeared bitterness in the fruit?

Cucumber is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. This vegetable can be grown not only in greenhouses and vegetable gardens, it is grown both on balconies and in rooms. In any place of cultivation, it is necessary to take into account the biology of the plant in order not to be disappointed in the future with the taste of the fruit. Improper farming practices when growing cucumbers can lead to the accumulation of bitterness in them.

Causes of bitterness

The bitterness of cucumbers is given by the substance cucurbitacin. This substance is found in the skin of the fruit at the base of the stalk. Cucurbitacin content depends on the variety and on the unfavorable conditions for growing cucumbers. However, in some countries, cucumbers with increased bitterness are specially grown for medicinal purposes.

Cucurbitacin is present in all types of cucumbers (pumpkin seeds), but bitterness begins to be felt when its concentration in the fruit increases.

The formation of bitterness is facilitated by:

- errors associated with watering the vegetable. Irregular watering, alternation of abundant watering with prolonged drying of the soil, watering with cold water (below 20 degrees);

- significant temperature differences between day and night. With a decrease in the ambient temperature, the development of fruits is delayed, which leads to the accumulation of cucurbitacin in them;

- low-grade seeds. From such seeds, cucumbers are genetically prone to bitterness;

- soil preparation. Filling the soil with fresh manure leads to unwanted heating of the soil, which, in turn, can lead to root burns. The plant experiences stress, the development of fruits is delayed, which leads to the accumulation of bitterness.

- the cause of bitterness in cucumbers can be unfertilized clay soil, as well as a lack of oxygen in compacted soil.

- mechanical action on the lashes, such as twisting, breaking, bending, also contribute to an increase in bitterness in greens.

- the acidity index of the soil under the cucumber plantations should be pH = 6-7. A significant change in soil response leads to an increase in cucurbitacin in cucumbers.

- the degree of increase in bitterness directly depends on the sun's rays.

How to prevent the appearance of unwanted bitterness in cucumbers

In order for the cucumbers to be tasty and not bitter, you need to create comfortable conditions for their growth.

By adhering to some rules for growing cucumbers, you can achieve an excellent harvest of high-quality vegetables.

The landing site is determined at the forefront.

Cucumbers are planted in areas with moderately mild lighting, but not in the sun. Cucumbers do not like dry air, so plants are planted in poorly shaded places, or artificially create shade by planting corn or sunflower, alternating between plants. Corn and sunflower additionally serve as a support for cucumber lashes.

You can place a cucumber planting next to a grape bush. The shade of the grape leaves will protect the cucumber lashes from the sun, and the grape trellis will serve as a good support.

In the sun, you need to cover the plants with a special covering material or make awnings - umbrellas from direct sunlight.

Cucumbers in a grape garden

If the cold weather lasts for a long time, the cucumber plantings must be covered with a film, protecting them from the cold.

Water the plants only with warm water. In hot weather, it is necessary to water often and not only at the root, but also wetting the entire soil surface under the plantings, thus creating a humid microclimate under the bushes.

Selected cucumber seeds play an important role. Some hybrid cucumbers do not have bitterness, among them: German, Courage, Red mullet, Picnic.

What can you do with cucumbers if they are bitter?

Cucumbers with mild bitterness can be eaten fresh, after peeling the skin. Basically, the bitterness is found at the base of the cucumber near the stalk, the tip of the cucumber on this side must be cut off.

Bitter cucumbers should not be thrown away, they are suitable for conservation. During the heat treatment, the bitterness disappears. Therefore, they can be pickled, salted, added to salads for the winter.