English Cucumbers – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are English cucumbers?

English cucumbers are seedless cucumbers that are 10 to 12in long. They are slim and typically sold in plastic sleeves.

They are the perfect choice for salads or garnishing dishes because they are easily sliced and uniformly shaped. English cucumbers have a mild and sweet flavor, perfect for pairing with just about any other food choice. They add a tangy taste when paired with the richness of creamy dairy products.

They pair well with other vegetables like onions, peppers, tomatoes, and herbs and meats like fish, chicken, and pork. They also have a kick to them when they are paired with garlic, lime, lemon, or olives.

Where did English cucumbers originate from?

Cucumbers are native to India. English cucumbers were created so that they wouldn’t have some of the undesirable characteristics of other cucumbers like tough skin, a tart taste, and large seeds.

What is the nutritional value of English cucumbers?

English cucumbers are a low-calorie produce option that offers many nutritional benefits.

English cucumbers are mostly made up of water and are an excellent source to help stay hydrated. Slicing up cucumbers for a snack or serving them in a glass of water can help you stay cool and hydrated during warm weather.

The anti-inflammatory nutrients in English cucumbers can also assist in removing waste from the body. They can help with skin health by limiting irritation and reducing wrinkling.

English cucumbers contain antioxidants like vitamin C, betacarotene, and manganese, which help your body to operate at its healthiest. These antioxidants may help prevent and reduce your chance of developing cancer. Vitamin C is also beneficial for helping boost the body’s immunity.

English cucumbers contain potassium, which is beneficial for helping lower blood pressure and preventing various health conditions like heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. English cucumbers also have vitamin K, which can help assist in reducing or preventing blood clots.

For a final punch, English cucumbers contain fisetin, which has been shown to protect nerve cells and help improve brain health and prevent memory loss.

How are English cucumbers grown?

English cucumbers only require a 3 to 4-week head start before the outdoor growing season. The seedlings can be planted and grown indoors, and once the weather warms, you can transplant them into a garden. As the English cucumbers grow, they must not touch the ground; otherwise, the moisture will cause them to go bad.

When are English cucumbers in season?

Because English cucumbers can be grown indoors or outdoors, they are available to purchase in stores year-round.

What should I look for when buying English cucumbers?

When picking out English cucumbers at the store, it’s important to be conscious of the firmness. The more firm the English cucumbers, the fresher they are. While English cucumbers are slender, if they seem more slender than usual, that is a sign that they are premature.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for English cucumbers via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for English cucumbers.

How to store English cucumbers

The best way to store an English cucumber is by placing it in plastic wrap and keeping it in the refrigerator. As long as there isn’t any moisture in the refrigerator, the English cucumber should stay fresh for 7 days. If you plan on only using a portion of the English cucumber, then open the plastic wrap and use one end of it. Replace with the plastic wrap and place back into the refrigerator. To keep the English cucumber fresh, only rinse the one you plan to use. This will help keep moisture away and help them last longer.

How to tell if English cucumbers are bad

Since English cucumbers are firm, the best indicator that they’ve gone bad is any soft spots. Another sign they have gone bad is wrinkled skin and a slimy texture on the surface.

What can I substitute for English cucumbers?

When it comes to selecting a substitute for English cucumbers, there are a few fresh vegetables to consider. If you’re preparing a raw meal, English cucumbers are easily interchanged with various options; however, if you are planning a cooked meal, it’s important to do some research to decide which options would offer similar taste and texture.

Zucchini is a perfect option for a substitute that looks similar to the English cucumber. Zucchini has a mild and sweet taste and can adapt easily to any dish or recipe you plan to use it in. They can be eaten raw or slow-cooked in a frying pan. They don’t require much seasoning if you’re cooking them—just oil, salt, and onion.

Celery is a crisp and hydrating option that is refreshing, like English cucumbers. It is a great substitute option for salads and sandwiches.

Iceberg lettuce is a suitable replacement for English cucumbers because it offers a similar refreshing and hydrating taste but with less bitterness.

Green bell peppers are a good option that can easily be substituted in a raw or cooked recipe. They’re simple to find and often readily available in the kitchen. The green bell pepper has a sweet but slightly sour taste that would compliment dishes calling for English cucumbers.

Where to find and buy English cucumbers

Ready to add English cucumbers to your diet? Instacart is a good place to start. Instacart offers fresh, high-quality English cucumber produce, as well as convenient same-day pick-up or delivery options near you. That makes it easy to have English cucumbers (and the rest of your fresh produce) delivered straight to your door with no hassle. 

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.