In many households, bitter cucumbers end up in the trash. It's not just the unpleasant taste that speaks against consumption. In some cases, the vegetable is also poisonous and can cause stomach problems. But why do cucumbers actually become bitter and how can you remove the bitter substances?
When do cucumbers become bitter? Possible causes of the unpleasant taste
It's not just the cucumbers from the supermarket that sometimes taste bitter. Even when it comes to home production, some cucumbers can taste bitter and others – not. The taste indicates a high concentration of toxic bitter substances - the so-called Cucurbitaceae. Anyone who still eats the vegetables risks stomach problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. The cucumbers secrete these toxins to protect themselves from various pests.
Not all varieties contain the toxins. Most varieties grown in containers, greenhouses, winter gardens orpreferred on the balconyare bred in such a way that they do not contain any bitter substances. However, the varieties for the vegetable patch can under certain circumstances produce bitter substances.
Are cucumbers poisonous if they are bitter?
The short answer is yes, the bitter substances are toxic and can cause certain stomach problems that can last for days in some cases. These bitter substances usually accumulate first in the leaves and only then in the fruits directly at the two ends.
If cucumbers taste bitter: Possible causes when growing
The conditions in the garden are not always optimal. Incorrect location, unfavorable weather and some gardening mistakes can promote the formation of bitter substances. Possible causes include:
- Long periods of heat
- High temperatures during the day and low temperatures in the evening
- Irregular watering. The plants are either in water or the soil has dried out.
- Poor soil or vice versa – soil that is too rich in nutrients
- Wrongly selected harvest time - the cucumbers are either not sufficiently ripe or overripe.
- Certain fertilizers can also cause cucumbers to produce more toxins than usual.
Cucumbers form bitter substances: how to prevent it?
You can prevent this by using special organic fertilizer. If the temperatures drop a lot in the evening, then you can cover the cucumbers with foil. Regular watering is an absolute must. Ripe cucumbers can be recognized by their uniformly colored skin. They are firm, the shell is smooth. Discoloration may indicate a bitter taste.
Why do cucumbers become bitter when peeled?
No matter whether from your own garden or from the supermarket: If cucumbers taste bitter, you wonder why that could be. Were the bitter substances perhaps released during peeling? For a long time it was assumed that when peeling, the toxins located at the base of the stem were evenly distributed throughout the vegetables. This claim has never been confirmed by researchers. On the contrary: Although the majority of toxins are directly at the base of the stem, the other parts of the fruit also contain many bitter substances. They are therefore inedible for humans and animals.
Neutralizing bitter cucumbers: Can the bitter substances be removed?
It's best not to eat bitter cucumbers at all because they can cause diarrhea and stomach cramps. In some cases it can even lead to life-threatening poisoning.
If you still want to try it on your own responsibility, you should first soak the cucumber in salt water and after several hours cut off the peel generously. There are videos on TikTok where you cut off the end with the base of the stem first and then use it to rub the interface. The toxins shouldfrom the vegetablesbe withdrawn. However, these claims have not been proven, so we advise against such attempts.
Cucumbers taste bitter, but still pickle them?
If some of your own cucumbers taste bitter, you should check all of them before pickling them. Sort out cucumbers with spots or discoloration on the peel. Check the others before processing them. Under no circumstances should you use bitter cucumbers. The toxins are particularly harmful to children and pets, so avoid them at all costs.
