An annoying nuisance in the form of bitterness in cucumbers often becomes an obstacle in the preparation of dishes with the obligatory content of this vegetable. Cooking enthusiasts should figure out what to do in such a situation and how to rectify the situation so that no such problems arise during cooking.
Is it possible to remove bitterness from cucumbers?
Fortunately, getting rid of bitterness is possible thanks to the methods tested by experienced chefs. The reason why cucumbers are bitter is the content of cucurbitacin in the fruits.
Did you know? American scientists from the University of California, led by Professor William Lucas, conducted a study of bitter cucumbers and found that cucurbitacin positively affects the condition of cancer patients.
In large quantities, this substance appears due to a violation of the rules for growing a plant. Often, the taste of cucumbers is influenced by low humidity and high temperature in the greenhouse.
Ways to rid cucumbers of bitterness
There are several ways to get rid of bitterness - rubbing the slice, processing with salt and soaking in cold water.
Rubbing
The fastest method is rubbing a slice of cucumber. To do this, remove a small part from one end of the fetus, attach both parts with slices to each other and begin to intensively move them. From friction, a white foamy substance will begin to stand out, and with it cucurbitacin.
Using salt
Salt will help to remove an unpleasant bitter aftertaste. Unpeeled fruits are cut into slices and rubbed with salt. After half an hour, the product can be washed and eaten.
Soaking in cold water
The longest processing time is putting vegetables in cold water. After 11-12 hours, they should be removed and peeled.
This method is preferred over pickling or pickling, especially when preserving the whole product.Did you know? The longest cucumber in the world was grown by British gardener Alf Cobb and had a length of almost 92 cm.
How to prevent bitterness
The bitter taste of cucumbers is the result of illiterate care of the bushes during the growing season. To avoid problems, professional vegetable growers carefully monitor the condition of the plant.
The main measures to prevent bitterness include:Important! Fertilizer bush should be moderate. Any suitable fertilizer can harm the plant if overused.
- selection of a variety resistant to excessive production of cucurbitacin;
- sowing seeds or planting seedlings in soil with a low content of clay and sand;
- maintaining a stable microclimate (on average, optimal humidity and temperature are 70–85% and +20 ... + 25 ° C, respectively, but they can vary depending on the variety);
- bright diffused lighting;
- regular warm water in the evening (1 time in 2-3 days, depending on the weather and the rate of drying of the soil);
- lack of top dressing with fresh manure and careful fertilizers with nitrogen agents during the growing season.
Video: Causes of bitterness in cucumbers and how to get rid of it
Will bitterness go away if you pickle the bitter cucumbers?
If a large crop of bitter cucumbers is harvested, it is recommended to pickle them to correct the situation. However, according to the reviews of the hostesses and hosts, in any of the recipes the bitterness does not disappear completely, but becomes somewhat less. The salt used for salting or pickling partially draws cucurbitacin from the fetus. For best results during conservation, it is recommended that you pre-soak in water for 10-12 hours. In this case, it is better to pour vegetables with boiling water and let the liquid cool naturally.
Bitter cucumbers will not become a problem if you take care of the competent cultivation of vegetables in advance. It also helps to learn ways to get rid of bitterness in fruits. Simple methods do not require special ingredients in the kitchen and will become a real find in such an annoying situation.
