What's the difference between Persian and English cucumbers?
Persian cucumbers are noticeably shorter than the English varieties. At maturity, these slightly bumpy fruits are only 5 to 6 inches long. In contrast, English cucumbers average 12 inches or longer. They're also noticeably less slender and more smooth than their Persian relatives (via The Kitchn ).
Do Persian cucumbers have bumpy skin?
Unlike the ‘Northern Pickling’ cucumber and the ‘Sweet Gherkin,’ the Persian cucumber does not have bumpy skin. Persian cucumbers are mini cucumbers – about 5 to 6 inches long with narrow width when mature. They are perfect for pickling, and you may also eat them fresh. Persian cucumbers are generally dark green. They are smooth and have few seeds.
What is the difference between Persian cucumbers and Kirby cucumbers?
A big difference, however, is that Persians come in a greater range of lengths—some shorter, some longer, and sometimes with slightly bumpy skin like a Kirby. Persian cukes have a mild flavor and thin skins.
How big do Persian cucumbers get?
Persian cucumbers are thin-skinned and only grow to be about five to six inches long and remain quite narrow. These baby cukes are nearly seedless and extra crisp rather than watery, and have a mild, sweet flavor that's easy to fall for.
What is the difference between Mini Cucumbers and Persian cucumbers?
Persian cucumbers are thin-skinned and only grow to be about five to six inches long and remain quite narrow. These baby cukes are nearly seedless and extra crisp rather than watery, and have a mild, sweet flavor that's easy to fall for.
What can I substitute for Persian cucumbers?
Persian and English cucumbers can be used interchangeably in any recipe I have ever come across. They are both thin-skinned enough to be served unpeeled, and both are nearly seedless. (Persian cucumbers may have a few seeds).
What are Mini Cucumbers called?
Gherkins. Best to pick: After growing only 2 or 3 inches long, these miniature cucumbers will be ready to be picked. Gherkins are short and stubby, with bumpy skin that tends to be a light shade of green.
Where do you find Persian cucumbers?
You can find Persian cucumbers at large or specialty grocery stores; they're usually sold in packs of six. Make your way to the area of your produce section where delicate veggies, such as bagged carrots and salads, are stored; they'll most likely be found there.
Why do Persian cucumbers get slimy?
The Best Way to Make Persian Cucumbers Last Longer Simply put, that slimy white film is a sign of spoilage. When cucumbers become mushy or slimy on the outside, it's an indicator that they're starting to go bad — which can happen sooner than later when not stored properly.
What is another name for baby cucumbers?
Gherkins, also called cornichons, or baby pickles, are small cucumbers, typically those 2.5 to 12.5 centimetres (1 to 5 in) in length, often with bumpy skin, which are typically used for pickling.
Do Mini Cucumbers taste the same as regular cucumbers?
Fans of the mini-cucumber often like to include the miniature white cucumber in the garden. This small variety has a unique appearance and is generally mild in flavor. It also has a thin skin that is not usually bitter.
How do you eat Mini Cucumbers?
Mini Cucumbers make the perfect boat for flavorful toppings like hummus, tuna salad, or feta cheese. Simply slice your Mini Cucumbers down the middle lengthwise, and gently scoop out some of the insides to make room for your filling. Find simple (but delicious) Cucumber Boat recipes here.
Are Persian cucumbers similar to English cucumbers?
Persian cucumbers are noticeably shorter than the English varieties. At maturity, these slightly bumpy fruits are only 5 to 6 inches long. In contrast, English cucumbers average 12 inches or longer. They're also noticeably less slender and more smooth than their Persian relatives (via The Kitchn).
Are Persian cucumbers the same as pickling cucumbers?
Although Persians are burpless, they also work great for slicing and pickling. That can't be said for all other types of cucumber. For instance, Kirby cucumbers are for pickling and a jar really is the best place for them. Likewise, American slicing cucumbers would be quite out of sorts in a jar.
Are Persian cucumbers the same as Lebanese cucumbers?
The original variety was named Beit Alpha, after its birthplace, and among horticulturists, the many improved varieties that followed have been called Beit Alpha types. But similar cucumbers have long been prized in the Mideast, and so they're often called “Lebanese cucumbers,” “Persian cucumbers,” etc.
How many cups is one Persian cucumber?
When sliced, our samples yielded between 1.25 cups and 1.5 cups for thinner slices and thicker slices respectively. Cucumber samples that were diced produced a generous 1.5 cups.
The Difference Between Persian & English Cucumbers
While both varieties of cucumbers have a nice, thin skin that you don’t have to peel, there are a few subtle differences between them. The good news is, though, that they are similar enough that they can be used interchangeably. Both are best enjoyed fresh, whether they’re sliced for salads or used as a vehicle for dip.
Persian Cucumbers
Persian cucumbers are thin-skinned and only grow to be about five to six inches long and remain quite narrow. These baby cukes are nearly seedless and extra crisp rather than watery, and have a mild, sweet flavor that’s easy to fall for. You’ll often find them in packages of a half-dozen or so.
English Cucumbers
Those cucumbers you always see in the grocery store wrapped tightly in plastic are English cucumbers. These cucumbers are also thin-skinned and pretty much seedless, but they’re about a foot long on average and not as narrow as Persian cukes.
What are Persian cucumbers?
Persian cucumbers are cucumbers similar to Kirby, Japanese, lemon, Armenian, and English cucumbers. They are characterized by their cylindrical shape and smooth skin. These vegetables can be eaten with or without the skin, and the flavor will stay the same.
Where did Persian cucumbers originate from?
The Persian cucumber originated in Persia in 1939, but they’re cultivated all over the world today. Originally, it was a staple of every Middle Eastern salad, including Tel Aviv and Tehran. However, the popularity of these cucumbers spread across the Middle East and to other regions, and they became known as the “Persian” cucumber.
How are Persian cucumbers grown?
Persian cucumbers grow best in soil at least 70°F because they’re extremely susceptible to frost damage. They also need at least 6 hours of sunlight every day.
When are Persian cucumbers in season?
Even though they’re best in the summer months when they’re in season, Persian cucumbers are available all year long, just like regular cucumbers.
How do you pick Persian cucumbers at the grocery store?
When shopping for Persian cucumbers, look for ones that have rigid skin with zero wrinkles. You should also look for ones with a healthy, green color, perhaps with a few spots from sun exposure. If your Persian cucumbers were cooled when you bought them, try to keep them that way. If not, it’s fine to store them in the fridge.
How to store Persian cucumbers
If you want to extend the life of your Persian cucumbers, take them out of the tray you likely bought them in and throw away the wrapping. Put your Persian cucumbers in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer or store them at room temperature since cucumbers don’t really do well in the cold.
How to tell if Persian cucumbers are bad
You’ll know your Persian cucumbers are bad if you start seeing a slimy white film. That’s probably the first sign of spoilage.
Cucumber Varieties
Once available only at the best-stocked farmer's markets, different types of cucumbers are showing up at co-ops, grocery stores, and garden patches more than ever. There are a number of common cucumber varieties—Armenian, English, lemon, Persian—that you may encounter.
Armenian Cucumbers
Armenian cucumbers are long, thin, and slightly variegated in darker and lighter shades of light green or a yellowish-green. They are delightfully crunchy and are delicious when simply sliced and eaten raw.
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.
Garden Cucumbers
Garden cucumbers are the most common cucumbers in North America. They are relatively smooth-skinned and dark green.
Gherkins
Gherkins are very small—sometimes not even two inches long. If you're looking for a cucumber to pickle, this is a great choice because they'll easily fit in a jar. They are popular in France, where pickled gherkins—known as cornichons —are a classic accompaniment to pâté.
Kirby Cucumbers
Kirby cucumbers are usually short and they're always bumpy. They have a range of skin color from yellow to dark green.
Lemon Cucumbers
Yellow, round, the size of a generous fist, these cucumbers look like lemons, which explains their name. Lemon cucumbers are sweet, without the bitter edge that most cucumbers have. They have thin skins, minimal soft seeds, and are flavorful.
