Cucumber, Cucumis sativus

The cucumber, originally cultivated in South Asia, is a versatile vegetable that is now appreciated worldwide for its easy cultivation, high water content and numerous uses.

The cucumber – a portrait of the plant

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) belongs to the pumpkin family (Cucurbitaceae) and is a herbaceous annual plant. It grows as a climbing plant and forms long, branched shoots. The fruits vary in shape, size and color – from small and knobbly to long and smooth. Most cucumbers are green, but there are also yellow or white varieties. They are about 95% water and grow best in warm, sunny climates with fertile soil. The cucumber is cultivated both outdoors and in greenhouses and reproduces by seed.

Fresh or pickled around the world

While the wild form of the cucumber probably originates from the African continent, it was first domesticated in India over 3,000 years ago and later spread throughout the world via trade routes. In ancient Greece and Rome, for example, the cucumber already played an important role in nutrition and medicine. In the Middle Ages, however, it was no longer so popular. It experienced a real boom when it was introduced to the Americas by colonialists in the 16th century.

Today, China is the largest producer of cucumbers, followed by Cameroon and Ukraine. They are grown worldwide in greenhouses, fields and gardens. Industrial cultivation focuses mainly on varieties intended for fresh consumption and processing into gherkins. In many parts of the world, cucumbers are cultivated both on an industrial scale and on small farms.

Low in calories and healthy

Cucumber is low in calories and consists mostly of water, making it an ideal snack for a light and hydrating diet. It contains small amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium and has an anti-inflammatory effect thanks to its antioxidants. Due to its high water content, it promotes hydration and aids digestion. Cucumbers are particularly popular in salads, smoothies and as a refreshing ingredient in summer dishes. However, cucumbers are not only used in cooking, but also in skin care, where they are valued for their soothing and moisturising effect. Cucumbers can also soothe swelling and sunburn.

However, it is important to check whether the cucumber is very bitter when eating it. The cucumber develops the bitter substance cucurbitacin to protect itself from natural predators. This substance is toxic above a certain level, so cucumbers that are too bitter should not be eaten.

The perfect cucumber

A major problem in cucumber cultivation is packaging and transportation. Cucumbers are delicate and often need to be wrapped in plastic to protect them from damage during transportation. This leads to a high consumption of packaging materials – especially plastic. In addition, there is strong expectation of uniformity of cucumbers on the market in the EU countries, with precise demands on the size and shape of the cucumbers. The EU’s ‘Cucumber Regulation’, which categorised cucumbers into quality classes based on various characteristics, has become famous here. Although the regulation was abolished in 2009, it is still widely followed in the trade. As a result, many cucumbers are rejected due to minor defects, which causes unnecessary food waste.

Cucumber shortage due to TikTok

In recent years, cucumber consumption has increased significantly thanks to the spread of simple and creative recipes on social media. Platforms such as TikTok are helping to ensure that cucumbers are increasingly perceived as a trendy superfood worldwide. Cucumber salads inspired by Asian and international cuisines are particularly popular and have millions of followers. Especially viral recipes that combine cucumbers with soy sauce, cream cheese or sesame oil have led to a significant increase in sales in many countries. In some regions, there was even a temporary shortage of cucumbers as the high demand depleted stocks.

Sources

Transparency genetic engineering: Cucumber. Link.
Plantura: Cucumbers: Origin, profile & perenniality. Link.
Staub et al (2008): Cucumber. Link.
Gusta Garden: The cucumber. Link.
ndr: Cucumbers: Delicious summer snack with few calories. Link.
Handelsblatt: The EU cucumber regulation. Mocked and yet better than its reputation. Link.
Focus: Viral TikTok trend. Why everyone is eating cucumbers now. Link.