Buzz
You don’t need a degree in botany to understand that English cucumbers—also known as hothouse, seedless, or European cucumbers—are generally viewed as superior to standard cucumbers. A quick look at the price tags shows that English cucumbers tend to cost more, too.
While these cucumbers often surpass their regular counterparts in length, the differences aren’t just about size. (Though your cat might be equally frightened of both types.) According to The Spruce Eats, English cucumbers have much smaller seeds and a thinner skin, resulting in a sweeter taste compared to the typical cucumber. But that delicate skin brings its own challenges too.
For one, as The Kitchn explains, their thin skin makes them especially prone to nicks, bruises, or other damage during packing and shipping. The fragility of their skin also makes them spoil faster, as it doesn’t effectively keep water in or oxygen out. Wrapping them in plastic offers an added layer of protection to help combat these issues.
While it may seem tempting to remove the plastic from your English cucumbers as soon as you bring them home from the grocery store, it's better to leave it on until you're ready to cut them. The plastic wrapping actually helps extend their shelf life. If left in the fridge, a plastic-wrapped cucumber could stay fresh for up to 10 days.
Single-use plastics pose significant environmental concerns, and companies are exploring alternatives that offer the same benefits without the plastic itself. One example is Apeel, a company that coats produce with a lipid-based solution. This coating mimics the natural peel of fruits and vegetables, helping to retain moisture and protect against air. Although it doesn’t prevent damage during transportation, it helps maintain freshness.
This article was first published in 2022 and has been updated for 2024.
