Why are cucumbers sometimes bitter?

Answer 1

Bitterness in cucumbers is caused by the compounds cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin C.

The cucurbitacins are normally found in the leaves, stems and roots of the cucumber plant. The cucurbitacins spread from the vegetative parts of the plant into the cucumber fruit when the plants are under stress. Hot, dry conditions are usually responsible for bitterness in cucumbers in Iowa.All cucumber plants contain varying amounts of this compound, triggered by environmental stress.

Environmental stress comes from high temperatures; heavy soil that is too wet, dry, and/or drains poorly; low fertility; insects and foliage diseases. It can be a combination of these factors.

Bitterness does not accumulate uniformly in the cucumber fruit. The cucurbitacins are usually concentrated at the stem end of the fruit and just under the skin of the cucumber.

Bitter cucumbers can sometimes be salvaged by cutting off the stem end and peeling the remainder of the fruit. You could vigorously rub the sliced piece of cucumber you just cut off on the sliced end of the cucumber until a frothy white juice starts to flow out. Then wash it off. And eat.

Answer 2

I don't know, but try this trick:
When you start cutting up a cucumber, first chop off about an inch off the top. Then hold that piece and slide it around the open end of the cucumber in circles-- quickly, and repeatedly-- until a frothy white juice starts to flow out. Apparently that's the cucumber's acid coming out from the top, and it makes the whole cucumber taste better. Then, just rinse it and cut it up to eat.

Answer 3

Another "old wives' tale" that works is:
When you peel the cucumber, always move the peeler (or knife) from the lightly coloured end to the dark green end, not the other way around.

Answer 4

If they are bitter it's usually because they have gotten old. The same thing happens with zucchinis.

Answer 5

Usually when they have been soaked in vinegar and are pickles they become bitter.

Answer 6

It depends on what soil they are grown in, how hot it was, and how much water they received.