Cucumbers will stay fresh and crunchy for 3 weeks when stored using 1 simple kitchen item
Cucumbers have a high water content of around 96%, which gives these vegetables a crispy texture and fresh taste, perfect for adding to any salad or sandwich like a BLT. Yet it's so disappointing when you reach for a cucumber you've stored in the fridge only to find it slimy.
As cucumbers have a high moisture content, they tend to have a shorter shelf life. When cucumbers have a slimy film or start to get mushy, that's a sign that they've gone bad and should be composted or put in the food recycling bin. One of the best ways to prevent spoilage is with proper storage. Food storage expert Amy from Cross Legacy claims that cucumbers will last longer if you follow a simple task that requires a common kitchen ingredient before putting them in the fridge, just like when you store blueberries or want to keep avocados fresh longer.
Cucumbers come wrapped in plastic, which can trap moisture and cause them to spoil faster.
What's more, they may carry mould spores and bacteria that contribute to cucumbers decaying.
When bringing home a cucumber from the supermarket, it's important to remove it from the plastic wrap.
To ensure their freshness for longer, Amy insisted on always washing your cucumbers properly. To do so, she adds vinegar to the water.
She said: "I use a vinegar wash because vinegar kills off mould spores, E.coli, listeria, and other harmful pathogens.
"When it comes to food safety, it is a good idea to wash produce in a vinegar bath even if it says that it is pre-washed."
For the vinegar solution, use one-quarter cup of 5% distilled white vinegar mixed with 10 cups of cool water.
Then submerge the cucumbers in the vinegar solution - two minutes is enough time.
If they don't fully fit in the bowl, soak one half, then flip them over and soak the other half.
After, lay the washed cucumbers on a clean towel and allow them to air dry completely. Ensuring they are fully dry before storing helps prevent excess moisture build-up, which can lead to mould.
Once dry, Amy recommends keeping the cucumbers in the crisper drawer of your fridge with vegetables, but not fruit. She said: "This method keeps them fresh for about two to three weeks."
Words above from article seen here
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You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. Always take account of your personal circumstances, needs, illnesses and medication you may be taking. Any allergies, or underlying health issues must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.
All the best Jan
31 comments:
Dear Jan, these photos are beautiful and refreshing.
I love cucumbers. Thank you so much for sharing this important information.
Thank you for this very helpful information, Jan. I've reached the point that I have quit purchasing cucumbers in the months that ours from the garden are not available for the very reason that they get slimy. I will definitely give this method a try!
It's amazing how much you can use vinegar for. This is a good tip.
PS - the leaf on my photo today is from an Oak Leaf Hydrangea bush.
What a great tip. Thanks, Jan!
I love cucumbers, but I never thought of washing them deeply because I take the outside off. They do spoil fast!
I never buy wrapped cucumbers. I buy the small lebanese ones and only one at a time to eat that same day. No storage worries.
Thank you for this advice!
good day, hugs Elke
Jan! Slimy, oh that really is icky! (LOL). Cucumbers come wrapped in plastic?! Not here. But - if I see one like that I sure will not buy it, mould, no, thank you. Vinegar, got it (literally)....
I’ve always enjoyed cucumbers but only in a salad
I am a big fan of cucumber, my wife not so much. But a Greek salad is on the menu and she will enjoy them as part of that dish.
Jan, I appreciated this advice on how to keep cukes crisp and to last longer. The seedless ones we have recently been buying come wrapped in plastic and now I know how to make them last longer with the vinegar bath.
We eat a lot of cucumber, but lately have found them going off quicker than usual. I'll try this tip. Thank you,
Gotta try the vinegar trick next time. Thanks, Jan.
Hi Jan,
Here at home we love cucumbers
Thank you for the tip.
Hugs and all the best
good tip
"This method keeps them fresh for about two to three weeks."
Two to three weeks? In our house they don't last 2 days they get eaten so quickly. Why are they so expensive though?
God bless.
I find Lakeland Stayfresh Longer bags very handy, but vinegar is a must have kitchen item for cooking and cleaning!
Here in my stores the only cucs that come in plastic wrap are the English cucs the slicing cucs are not wrapped. I do wash them with vinegar and backing soda. I enjoy just munching on them. Thanks for the great tips.
Perfect for this time of year, Jan! Thanks!
Deliciosos los bocaditos.
Gracias Jan. Buen mayo para todos.
Un abrazo.
Good to know
I love cucumbers and these are excellent tips!
REPLY TO
Victor S E Moubarak who said ...
"This method keeps them fresh for about two to three weeks."
Two to three weeks? In our house they don't last 2 days they get eaten so quickly. Why are they so expensive though?
God bless.
Hello Victor and many thanks for your comment and question.
I think in general prices worldwide have been increasing for many fruits and vegetables. Indeed cucumbers are expensive due to a number of reasons'
A combination of labour-intensive cultivation, high water and energy needs, climate-related crop disruptions, and supply chain challenges. These all have to be overcome and in many cases the additional costs are passed down the line to consumers!
I must admit when I do my shopping I always keep my eyes open for any good offers and this can help.
Take care and enjoy your salads and cucumbers :)
All the best Jan
A good tip. We like cucumbers and they don't last long in my house! :)
Who would have guessed. I think it's a great idea to clean them with vinegar.
This is great to know--thanks for posting! . Bill loves cucumbers so I will definitely do this from now on.
Thanx Jan. The concern is that some products will vanish because of labour intensive cultivation - like berries for instance, sprouts, and those which cannot be mechanised in cultivation/picking off the tree/plant.
God bless.
Cucumbers don't like me but I buy them for hubby. I put a piece of kitchen paper around it and it keeps longer than without it. I've not tried vinegar.
I like them a lot :-D
I don't care for cucumbers that much, but I hadn't heard about washing with vinegar and water before, I imagine that would work with other fruits and vegetables
This is very useful to know. Thank you, Jan. X
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