Cucumbers

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Cucumbers are one of the oldest vegetable species grown in our country. Cucumber is an annual plant belonging to the Pumpkin family. It contains seeds and is actually a fruit, but due to its slightly bitter and sour taste it is grouped to vegetables.

Cucumbers are vegetables with the highest water content. The species that are cultivated are divided according to whether they are eaten fresh or pickled. Cucumbers that are eaten fresh are cylindrical in shape and about 25 to 35 cm long.

Their bark, which varies from green to white, can be either smooth or in stripes depending on the variety. The inside of the cucumber is very pale green, dense and crunchy. Cucumbers that are grown to be marinated are much smaller in size. Gherkins are one of the varieties of cucumbers grown for this purpose.

Cucumbers originate from South Asia 10,000 years ago. Early explorers and tourists brought these vegetables to India and other parts of Asia. They were very popular in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome, which used them not only as food but also because of their beneficial healing properties for the skin.

Growing cucumbers in greenhouses was introduced in the time of Louis XIV. The early colonizers, in turn, brought cucumbers to the United States. Pickling cucumbers began for the first time in ancient Spain, after this vegetable was brought there by Roman emperors.

Composition of cucumbers

Cucumbers have a very low nutritional value. About 95% of its content is mainly water, very small amounts of pectin, cellulose and protein.

Cucumbers are a very good source of vitamin C and the mineral molybdenum.

They are also a good source of vitamin A, potassium, manganese, folate, dietary fiber and magnesium, as well as the extremely important mineral silica. An interesting fact is that the iron content in about 100 g of cucumbers is higher than in grapes and strawberries. 100 g of cucumber contain 13.52 calories, 0.72 g of protein and 99.28 g of water.

Selection and storage of cucumbers

The choice of cucumbers is determined by the fact that they are hard, with rounded edges, and their color is from bright to dark green. Those cucumbers that are yellow, wilted or wrinkled at the tips should be avoided. These vegetables need to be stored in the refrigerator, where they can be kept fresh for several days. It is recommended to use within one or two days.

Cucumbers and other tender vegetables are sometimes treated with wax to protect them from injury during transport, which means that they must be peeled before consumption.

Cucumbers in cooking

Cucumbers are one of the most widely used products. They are part of many salads - some of the most famous Bulgarian salads, namely shepherd's salad and Shopska salad are prepared with cucumbers. Cucumbers go very well with milk, which is why they are used to make milk salad and the well-known tarator. Cucumbers can be eaten alone, seasoned with just a little salt.

Small cucumbers / gherkins / are used for canning, which makes them one of the most preferred winter appetizers. Canned cucumbers are used in some dishes - mostly chicken, as well as in some dishes with minced meat.

Cucumber juice is used in the diet, drunk undiluted or in combination with juice from other vegetables. As cucumber juice does not have very high taste qualities, it is often used only as an additive to various vegetable cocktails.

Benefits of cucumbers

With raw cucumbers placed on the skin, you can reduce existing inflammation. Cucumber juice can reduce heartburn, help fight gastritis and ulcers. Consumption of cucumbers can be of great benefit in diseases of the teeth and gums.

The inner part of the cucumber is composed mainly of water, and also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling. Cucumber peel is rich in fiber and contains a number of beneficial minerals, including silicon dioxide, potassium and magnesium.

Silica in cucumbers is an essential component of connective tissue, which includes muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and bone. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silicon dioxide to improve complexion and skin health. Adding to its high water content, cucumber juice is a natural moisturizer.

Cucumbers are used topically and for various types of skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. The two compounds contained in cucumbers - ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention. Cucumbers also help with high blood pressure.

Cucumbers are an excellent vegetable for reducing excess weight and speeding up metabolism. They are low in calories, making them an ideal food for people on a diet. The large amounts of fiber and water in cucumbers help to release toxins and at the same time stimulate digestion.

It's considered that cucumbers help against dangerous diseases such as diabetes and bad cholesterol. Cucumber juice contains a hormone that is thought to be a powerful helper against the development of diabetes. The sterols contained in cucumbers reduce the levels of bad cholesterol.

The next one benefit of cucumbers also not to be underestimated at all. Vegetables have the ability to maintain joint health by preventing gout and reducing arthritis pain. This is due to the silica contained, which has the ability to strengthen connective tissue. In combination with carrot juice, cucumbers can effectively reduce uric acid levels and relieve arthritis and gout.

Cucumbers can relieve the pain and malaise of a hangover. The high amount of vitamin B and electrolytes restore many of the lost substances as a result of alcohol abuse and thus reduce nausea and headaches.

Daily consumption of cucumbers helps to rehydrate the body, which is especially important in the hot summer months. Consume them in the form of tarator, in various salads or just like that - you will feel refreshed and refreshed.

Cucumbers have excellent properties to tone the body. Forget about the car and coffee, which have a number of side effects - bet on a slice of cucumber or healing water with cucumbers and herbs as desired. The effect is striking, the skin is radiant and without any side effects.

Applications of cucumbers

Apart from being a fresh and dietary food, cucumber is an indispensable cosmetic product. It is a great tool for whitening and softening the skin. The cosmetic properties of this vegetable far exceed the nutritional ones. Cucumbers have moisturizing and cooling properties.

Cucumber juice is present in a number of skin beautification products. Cucumber soap is used by thousands of women, and the lotion after exposure to strong winds is indispensable.

The most common use of cucumbers in cosmetics at the moment is in the so-called.cucumber jelly, which is used for rough and very dry skin.

Harm from cucumbers

Very often young mothers rush to lose weight soon after birth and resort to the consumption of various dietary foods, including cucumbers. However, it turns out that this is not a very good idea, as excessive consumption can cause gas in the mother and unwanted laxative effect in the baby.

Cucumbers in fresh or canned form are not useful for people with high stomach acidity or peptic ulcer. As with other healthy foods, cucumber consumption should not be overdone to avoid side effects.