How and where to store cucumbers correctly?

The characteristic features of any kind of cucumber are firmness and juiciness. Unlike other vegetables, cucumbers do not ripen at home, and you can eat them at almost any stage of ripening. Bitterness usually occurs in overripe vegetables and may be indicated by numerous symptoms. It is not difficult to preserve the freshness of a cucumber; it is enough to follow some rules to create optimal conditions and prepare vegetables for storage.

The nuances of storing cucumbers:

• harder cucumbers last longer than wilting vegetables;
• you can store cucumbers in cold water (while the container should not be exposed to direct sunlight, it should not be near heating devices and stand in the coolest place possible);
• homemade cucumbers (picked from the garden) are stored less than vegetables bought in stores;
• it is impossible to store cucumbers in tied plastic bags or closed containers (a cucumber mostly consists of water, therefore, in the absence of oxygen, vegetables will not only lose their juiciness, but also deteriorate at a rapid pace);
• winter and spring varieties of cucumbers are distinguished by a long shelf life (a distinctive feature of these types of cucumbers is a particularly strong and rough skin of a dark green color);
• if there are a lot of cucumbers, then they can be stored in a wooden box (it is better to cover the bottom of the box with newspaper and put it in a cool place with no light and with sufficient ventilation);
• if cucumbers are stored in a plastic bag (which is not recommended), then it must be kept open (condensation will cause rotting in a short period of time);
• air humidity for cucumbers plays a special role, its level should be in the range of 85-95% (this is primarily due to the peculiarity of the composition of cucumbers, which contain more liquid);
• a complex but effective way to prepare cucumbers for storage is to treat their surface in egg white (a cucumber is thoroughly washed in hot water, dried with a paper towel, and then completely covered with a layer of egg white, after which it is suspended by the stalk until it dries completely and a characteristic film forms);
• stored for a relatively long period, only ripe cucumbers can be without damage, spots on the surface of the skin and without the first signs of decay;
• small cucumbers (especially gherkins) are stored for several days, after which, under any conditions, their taste characteristics begin to change, and the skin wrinkles.

How much and at what temperature to store cucumbers

Cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator or at room conditions. In a special compartment designed for storing vegetables, they will remain fresh for 7-8 days if they were purchased in a store. Homemade cucumbers can be stored in such conditions for up to 5 days.

The ideal temperature for storing cucumbers is considered a level from +0,5 to +1 degrees… It is rather difficult to create such conditions, but at this temperature vegetables can remain fresh for almost 20 days. The standard temperature mode in the vegetable compartment in refrigerators is considered to be from +4 to +8 degrees. In such conditions, the shelf life of cucumbers will not exceed a week. At a constant temperature of +15 degrees, cucumbers will remain fresh for 12-15 days.

With hypothermia, cucumbers become yellow and shriveled, and at high temperatures they begin to deteriorate and spots of various shades appear on their surface. The taste properties of vegetables change dramatically when they are overcooled or overheated. The juice becomes much less, and the pulp is practically unsuitable for human consumption due to bitterness.

In cold water, provided that the liquid is regularly changed, cucumbers remain fresh for 10 days. They can be immersed in water completely or only to the level of the stalk. In the second case, vegetables are placed in a container in an upright position.

Chopped cucumbers are best eaten as early as possible. If vegetables are present in the salad, then the taste of the dish will be spoiled by the liquid that appears. Sliced ​​cucumber without additional ingredients will quickly begin to wind, and its flesh and skin will become shriveled.

Cucumbers are not frozen… When exposed to low temperatures, the consistency of vegetables will change and after defrosting they will turn into a homogeneous mass with a complete lack of taste characteristics.