English cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, were actually bred to create a cucumber without some of the more undesirable characteristics that this vegetable has, such as a tough outer skin, large seeds, and a bitter taste. They are also known as hothouse cucumber, burpless cucumber, seedless cucumber, and European cucumber.
Are hot house cucumbers the same as English seedless?
English cucumbers, sometimes called seedless or hothouse cucumbers, are often longer and wrapped in plastic.
Is greenhouse cucumber same as English?
English cucumbers — also known as seedless, greenhouse, burpless, or European cucumbers — are long and straight with fewer seeds and thin skins, averaging about a foot in length. For these reasons, they are considered the crème de la crème of cucumbers.
Is an English cucumber seedless?
“English cucumbers are also known as seedless cucumbers because they often have little or no seeds with a sweeter flavor than slicing or pickling cucumbers,” says Ryan McEnany, public relations and communications specialist for Bailey Nurseries.
What is the difference between a hot house cucumber and regular cucumber?
English cucumbers, sometimes sold as hothouse cucumbers, are generally longer and slimmer than their more traditional cousins and often sold shrink-wrapped at the grocery store.
What can I substitute for English cucumber?
Meanwhile, the Persian cucumber or sfran is good for stir fries because it can tolerate high heat. It tastes and looks quite similar to the English cucumber, but it’s usually shorter in length. These three are quite similar overall, so you can freely use them as substitutes for English cucumbers and for one another.
Do English cucumbers have another name?
English cucumbers are sweet, slender, straight and have fewer, less noticeable seeds than many other cucumbers. You’ll also see them called greenhouse cucumbers, hot house cucumbers, European cucumbers and seedless cucumbers.
Why is English cucumber wrapped in plastic?
Plastic wrap serves as an extra layer of protection for cucumbers that have particularly thin skin, like English cucumbers. This snug seal reduces and prevents rehydration and potential damage that can occur during packing and transit, and continues to play an important role even once you get them home.
What’s the difference between an English cucumber and a regular cucumber?
Main Difference Between Slicing and English Cucumbers
The slicing cucumber is shorter, fatter, with thicker skin, and has larger seeds. De-seed this cucumber before eating as the seeds can taste bitter. The English cucumber is typically a darker green, longer, more slender, with fewer seeds.
What’s a hot house cucumber?
Hot House cucumbers are classified as burpless which means they have thinner skins and are sweeter than traditional cucumbers. To preserve the cucumber’s texture and water weight, it is shrink-wrapped in plastic wrap, which doubles as visual recognition in the supermarket.
Why are English cucumbers different?
English cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, were actually bred to create a cucumber without some of the more undesirable characteristics that this vegetable has, such as a tough outer skin, large seeds, and a bitter taste. They are also known as hothouse cucumber, burpless cucumber, seedless cucumber, and European cucumber.
What variety is the English cucumber?
The European cucumber (also known as English cucumber) is a variety of “seedless” cucumber that is longer and slimmer than other varieties of cucumber. They do not have a layer of wax on them, and the skin is tender when ripe. These cucumbers may come wrapped in plastic for longer shelf-life and better freshness.
Why are cucumbers called Hot House?
Also known as an English cucumber and a European cucumber, Hot House cucumbers are classified as burpless which means they have thinner skins, are sweeter, and are believed to be easier to digest. It received its name because it is grown in greenhouses under controlled environmental conditions with heat and light.
Which cucumber is best for salad?
Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that’s easy to digest. The best part: you don’t even need to peel them—just slice ’em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!
Do English cucumbers have wax on them?
While ordinary cucumbers are coated with a thin layer of wax for the same purpose of preventing water loss, English cucumbers are wrapped in plastic. English cucumbers are not waxed – the plastic wrap serves the same purpose as the wax. Regular cucumbers must be peeled since it’s not a good idea to eat the wax coating.
What are English cucumbers good for?
English Cucumber Uses
Since these cucumbers are “burp-less” and seedless, they can be pureed into vegetable smoothies and cold soups more easily, without having to de-seed the vegetable. Adding these sliced cucumbers to sandwiches is also a great way to boost your vegetable intake each day.
What are the long skinny cucumbers called?
English (Or Seedless) Cucumbers
English cucumbers are also called hot-house cucumbers and seedless cucumbers. This variety is long and thin with dark green skin. You will often find this variety wrapped in plastic at supermarkets, but you can find unwrapped ones at farmers markets.
How do you use English cucumbers?
Eat Them Raw
Slice them and eat them (plain or sprinkled with dill) Cucumber sandwiches with toasted bread, cream cheese, cucumber slices, and dill. Cucumber salad (lots of varieties you can make) Sliced cucumbers in a green salad.
What is the best tasting cucumber?
The best-tasting cucumbers are those that are slicing cucumbers. English cucumbers don’t have the bitter chemical cucurbitacin that some cucumbers have. They also have higher natural sugar content, making them sweeter. The lack of seeds and thinner skin also English cucumbers more enjoyable to eat.
What is the sweetest cucumber?
Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.
Should you unwrap English cucumbers?
“English” cucumbers are a different variety, with few seeds and (more relevantly) a less bitter skin. They’re generally not peeled when serving. They still need a protective coating, so they use plastic, which can be removed without removing the skin.