How to remove bitterness from cucumbers and why it appears at all

It is noticed that if sunny, hot weather lasts more than 5 days, then the amount bitter cucumbers increases by 2 times. But there are other reasons for the appearance of bitterness - for example, uneven watering or improper feeding.

How to correct the taste of the fruit and whether and how to preserve bitter cucumbers - we will tell in the article.

Why cucumbers are bitter

The bitter taste in cucumbers is caused by an increased content of cucurbitacin, one of the glycosides produced by plants of the Pumpkin family.

Cucurbitacin and its meaning

This substance serves as protection against insects, increases resistance to adverse conditions, improves seed germination.

Cucurbitacin is synthesized in the leaves and distributed throughout the plant. Its amount is especially high in the roots. In fruits, glycoside accumulates at the base and in the skin.

It is interesting! Studies of the antitumor activity of cucurbitacin are being conducted. Scientists consider the substance promising in the fight against cancer.

In small doses, cucurbitacin is always present in plant tissues, and this does not affect the taste of the vegetable. But in unfavorable conditions, cucumbers produce it in increased quantities and become bitter.

Factors leading to bitterness

Cucumbers start to taste bitter in case of unfavorable weather or errors in care.

Causes of the unpleasant taste of the fruit:

• untimely and insufficient watering;
• irrigation with cold water;
• excess sun;
• sudden changes in day and night temperatures;
• thickened plantings;
• lack of nutrients;
• defeat diseases and pests;
• planting varieties prone to bitterness (these include varieties of the old selection - Muromsky, Vyaznikovsky).

Is it possible to get rid of bitterness or reduce it

Bitter cucumbers are quite suitable for fresh use and for conservation.

How to remove bitterness from cucumbers

Bitter cucurbitacin is soluble in water, excreted with juice and concentrated mainly in the peel of the fruit. Therefore, you can remove the bitterness in several ways.

Cut off the peel

Taste the cucumbers before preparing the salad. If an unpleasant bitterness is felt, peel the fruit and use as directed.

We remove the bitterness by rubbing

Want to save vitamins? Then try another way.

Cut off the ends and slice the fruit lengthwise. Rub the slices of both halves together until the white foam no longer stands out, then rinse the slices under running water.

Salt recipe

Cut the cucumber into small pieces and sprinkle with salt. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. The bitterness will go away with the released juice. Rinse the slices in water and prepare the salad.

On a note! Salt the bitter cucumbers. An unpleasant aftertaste in such a snack is not felt at all.

What to do when salting

The best way to remove bitterness from large quantities of vegetables intended for pickles, - soak them in water:

1. Wash the cucumbers thoroughly.
2. Pour cold water over the fruit in a suitable container.
3. Drain and add fresh water every 3 hours.
4. After 6-7 hours, try the cucumbers. If the taste suits you, start canning.
5. If the bitterness remains, change the water 2-3 more times.

If you cannot completely rid the vegetables of bitterness, you can marinate them with spices.This will spice up the canned vegetables and mask any remaining bitterness.

Spicy cucumbers

For 1 kg of cucumbers you need:

• water - 1.5 l;
• sugar - 2 tbsp. l .;
• salt - 3 tbsp. l .;
• 9% table vinegar - 100 ml;
• red onion - 1 pc .;
• black peppercorns - 10 pcs.;
• green bell pepper - 1 pc .;
• garlic - 2 cloves;
• horseradish leaves - 2 pcs.;
• black currant leaves - 5 pcs.;
• dill umbrellas - 3 pcs.;
• bay leaf to taste.

Cooking method:

1. Cut off the ends of the washed cucumbers.
2. Peel the bell peppers and chop finely.
3. Cut the garlic into rings and the onion into half rings.
4. Place the washed leaves and dill on the bottom of the jar.
5. Arrange the cucumbers tightly and add chopped peppers, onions and garlic.
6. Boil water, pour cucumbers in a jar and leave for 5 minutes.
7. Drain the water into the prepared saucepan, add black pepper, salt, sugar and vinegar there.
8. Boil the marinade and fill the jars to the top, roll up the lids, turn over and cover with a blanket until cool.

Spicy cucumbers

For 1 kg of fruit you need:

• water - 1.5 l;
• sugar - 5 tbsp. l .;
• salt - 3 tbsp. l .;
• 9% table vinegar - 100 ml;
• allspice peas - 4 pcs.;
• hot pepper - 0.5 pod;
• mustard seeds - 0.5 tsp;
• garlic - 2 cloves;
• black currant leaves - 5 pcs.;
• bay leaf - 2 pcs.

Cooking method:

1. Cut off the ends of the washed cucumbers.
2. Finely chop the garlic and hot pepper.
3. Place the washed leaves, mustard, allspice, chopped garlic and hot peppers on the bottom of the jar.
4. Place the cucumbers tightly.
5. Boil water, pour cucumbers in a jar and leave for 20 minutes.
6. Drain the water into a saucepan, add salt, sugar.
7. Boil the marinade and pour over the vegetables, pour the vinegar on top.
8. Roll up the lids, turn over and cover with a blanket until cool.

Does bitterness go away from cucumbers when preserved

Under the influence of high temperatures, cucurbitacin is destroyed. Pickling or pickling in hot brine removes the bitterness from the cucumbers.

So do not rush to throw away unpleasant-tasting fresh vegetables, you can make a fragrant winter snack from them.

How to grow a sweet cucumber without bitterness

Provide the plants with a comfortable environment, and they will thank you with an abundance of sweet aromatic fruits.

Prevention of bitterness

Several recommendations will help you grow delicious cucumbers on your site:

• plant plants in loose fertile soils;
• do not thicken the planting, the optimal scheme is no more than 4 bushes per 1 m2;
• bright sunlight is contraindicated for cucumbers, whitewash the windows with chalk in a glass greenhouse, cover the film with colored non-woven material, in the open field, natural shading will ensure planting next to corn or sunflowers;
• water cucumbers only with warm water;
• do not allow the soil to dry out to a depth of more than 5 cm;
• do not get carried away with nitrogen fertilizers, it is enough to carry out 3 fertilizing per season - a week after planting seedlings or emergence of seedlings, during flowering and with the massive appearance of ovaries;
• the optimal temperature for cucumbers is up to 27 ºС during the day and 18-20 ºС at night;
• harvest regularly - in the presence of old cucumbers on the bush, the ovary slows down growth, which contributes to the accumulation of cucurbitacin;
• choose hybrids that are not prone to bitterness.

What cucumber hybrids are not bitter

Breeders are working tirelessly to improve the properties of plants, and hybrids of cucumbers that are resistant to adverse conditions and do not have bitterness in the fruit have become available to gardeners.

It is worth paying attention to the following crops:

• hybrid Gerasim F1 for salad and canning purposes;
• early hybrid F1 Garland that does not require pollination;
• fruitful early ripe hybrid of Doc F1;
• hybrid Egoza F1 for universal use;
• hybrid for open ground Masha F1.

Conclusion

A bitter aftertaste in cucumbers appears in hot, dry weather and in case of errors in agricultural technology. Observe the watering and feeding regime, plant hybrids that are not prone to bitterness in order to avoid the problem.

However, do not rush to throw away grown or purchased bitter fruits.You can get rid of the unpleasant taste by peeling the skin or rubbing cucumber slices together. Before canning, experienced housewives recommend soaking the bitter fruits in cold water for 6-12 hours. Adding spices to pickles will eliminate the bitter taste of the cucumbers.