It does n’t take a botany degree for you to have it away that English cucumber vine — or hothouse , seedless , or European cucumbers — are generally considered superior to regularcucumbers . All it really take is a glance at the price tags : English cucumbers are typically more expensive , too .
And while they are often several inches longer than their garden - variety counterpart , the differences go beyond size . ( Though yourcat may be as scaredof both kinds . ) allot toThe Spruce Eats , English cuke have much littler seeds and thin skin , which have them a angelical savor than classic cukes . But that surplus okay tegument comes with downside , too .
For one , asThe Kitchn explicate , it makes them especially susceptible to fuck off nicked , bruised , or otherwise damaged throughout the packing material and shipping procedure . Their sparse Peel can also make them vitiate more quickly , as they ’re not as well equipped to keep urine in and oxygen out . Wrapping them in plastic offer an spare layer of protection against these problems .
Because it seems like those dangers have mostly passed once you get your English cucumbers home from thegrocery storage , you might reckon it ’s fine to unwrap them before flummox them in the electric refrigerator . But the plastic can extend their ledge lifetime , so it ’s probably best to leave it on until you ’re quick to slice up and serve them . A charge plate - compensate cuke could still be in great condition after some 10 years in your icebox .
In ecumenical , single - use plastics are a major environmental issue , and innovators are looking for direction to get the benefit of shrink - wrap fruits and vegetable without the shrink wrap itself . A company calledApeel , for example , coating producewith a lipoid - based liquid that basically mimic and amplifies what a born Sir Robert Peel does : seals in moisture while warding off strain . It wo n’t needs keep English cucumbers from getting eff up on the way to the foodstuff aisle , but it can help keep them fresh during the journey .
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A version of this article was originally release in 2022 and has been updated for 2024 .
