The Perfect Way to Keep Your Cucumbers Fresh

One of the most common vegetables in our fridge is the cucumber. We regularly enjoy it in salads, and it's a staple in school lunch sandwiches, as a side with afternoon meals, and as a complement to evening meals like omelets, toast, cottage cheese, and whatever dinner you choose.

During the summer months, cucumber consumption doesn't just stay constant; it even increases. To enjoy them at their best, it's essential to know how to store them correctly. Proper handling can "extend" their shelf life, meaning you can enjoy them for many days without spoilage after storing them for just one weekend in the fridge.

On the FOOD 52 website, various tips for proper cucumber storage were published.

Let's start with buying cucumbers. According to the site, it's best to choose cucumbers that are completely green, without spots, as any sign of wrinkling indicates overripeness, and they aren't good to take. Unlike ripe bananas, overly ripe cucumbers aren't consumable.

Regarding storage: Most cucumbers are coated in a kind of wax, a protective layer that makes them safe to store in a drawer for up to a week if they aren't cut. However, cucumbers freshly picked from the garden can last only about three days. It's also noted that you should store them away from fruits and vegetables like avocados, bananas, and even tomatoes, which cause them to rot faster due to ethylene gas—a type of gas released by fruits and vegetables that accelerates ripening.

Here's one essential tip for keeping cucumbers fresh: wrap them in cling film. Wrapping creates an additional protective layer, allowing them to be consumed over several days.

Regarding cutting—if you've cut a cucumber and have leftovers, there's no need to throw it out. Wrap it initially in a damp paper towel and then in an airtight container. The lid will keep them fresh. You can place the container in the vegetable drawer and use the cut cucumber within five days.