Which end should you start a cucumber?

It is recommended to cut at least 1/16th inch off the blossom end, that is, the end of the cuke furthest away from the plant if you picked it or if you can determine the stem end. If you cannot tell which end is the blossom end, then cut BOTH ends.

Which end of the cucumber is the blossom end?

When your cucumber is growing, the bottom end of it is called the blossom end (where the flower was). Trim this end off of your cucumbers, as it contains enzymes that soften pickles. Just a little sliver off the end takes care of those enzymes. 4.

What is the difference between cucumbers and pickling cucumbers?

Pickling cucumbers are shorter and bigger around than slicing cucumbers. They are bred to have thinner skins and black spines so the pickled product will look better. Pickling varieties can be eaten fresh and slicing varieties can be pickled, but the differences can be discerned by the average consumer.

Are pickles cucumbers first?

Pickles are Cucumbers Crunchy, sour, salty or sweet – pickles all start the same way, as cucumbers! Kirby or Persian cucumbers are often used for pickling. After they are picked they are washed and then soaked in a pickling solution often made with water, salt, spices and vinegar.

When should I start cucumbers in my house?

Cucumbers are easy to grow indoors and started them 4-6 weeks before May 7 will give a convenient jump start to the season. Plant the seeds about a half inch deep in 3” pots. I recommend only planting 1-2 seeds per pot as they grow quickly. The best soil to use is high quality compost.

Why do you cut ends off cucumbers?

Cutting off the tip of the cucumber that held the blossom is essential because it has enzymes in the bloom that will make your pickles soft and possibly unsafe to eat. If you grow your own you will see the end of the cucumber has the blossom on it this is the end you cut.

Do you cut the ends off cucumbers before pickling?

Cut Off The Blossom End Of Each Cucumber One of the most important secrets to making crispy pickles is to cut off the blossom end of each cucumber. The blossom end contains an enzyme that can change the overall chemical balance in your pickles. This enzyme will cause them to soften when canned.

Can I use regular cucumbers for pickles?

Pickling cucumbers are ideal because they are small and firm so they give that great pickle crunch. You can pickle any kind of cucumber, but because of the moisture content in slicing and English cucumbers, they will be more mushy but they will still taste great.

Can all cucumbers be pickled?

What kind of cucumbers make the best pickles?

Kirby cucumbers are the classic pickling cucumber — they hold up better than English cucumbers during pickling, remaining firm and crunchy instead of becoming overly soft. I’ve also found that Persian cucumbers make very nice pickles — they have thinner skin and are the perfect size for packing into pint jars.

What does Cucumber taste like?

This organic substance either has no taste at all (the case for most), or tastes bitter depending on the genetic makeup of the individual, aka it’s mum and dad’s fault. Let’s go for a deep, deep dive with 20 things you’ll only understand if you truly hate cucumber.

Why are my cucumbers bitter?

Cucumbers can be bitter, and that’s because of cucurbitacin: a compound found in a number of other plants, like squash and pumpkins. In cucumbers, cucurbitacin concentrations are high at the ends of the cucumber, so chopping off those ends will curb a lot of the bitterness. You can take this one step further by peeling the cucumber first.

Do you peel cucumbers before or after you peel them?

You can take this one step further by peeling the cucumber first. As Epicurious explains, cucurbitacin is found in the peel, too. And many people will cut then peel the cucumber to get rid of the bitter flavor. However, there’s a better way: Always cut the ends off of cucumbers before you peel them.

Can you eat around a cucumber?

They’re the cucumber’s natural habitat and you avoid them like the plague. Same goes for ready-made sandwiches and wraps. It’s a scary world out there. The thought of cucumber in water or as a way to ‘enhance’ a beverage makes you gag. You’ve wept over the ruining of a perfectly good meal by cucumber poisoning. “No, I can’t just eat around it.