Different Types of Cucumbers

Cucumbers are a versatile and widely used ingredient in commercial kitchens, known for their refreshing taste and crisp texture. There are several types of cucumbers available, each with unique characteristics that make them suitable for various culinary applications from cucumber salads to garnishing cocktails. Understanding the different types of cucumbers can help chefs and foodservice professionals choose the best variety for their specific needs.

Types of Cucumbers

Cucumbers, scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, are creeping vine plants belonging to the gourd family. They are typically cylindrical in shape with smooth outer skin and crunchy flesh. Cucumbers are composed mostly of water, making them a hydrating addition to an array of recipes. From the traditional garden cucumber to the exotic lemon cucumber, we created a list of the most common cucumber varieties you may encounter and incorporate into your menu.

1. Garden Cucumbers

Garden cucumbers, often labeled as American cucumbers or regular cucumbers, are one of the most common types of cucumbers used in commercial food preparation. These cucumbers are typically the long, dark green variety in supermarkets and restaurant kitchens. Garden cucumbers are known for their crisp texture and mild flavor. They have large seeds which some recipes may call for removal before use. Their skin is thick and slightly bitter so many prefer peeling them before serving. They are often used fresh in cucumber salads, for pickling, and as garnishes for plate presentation.

• What Do Garden Cucumbers Look Like? Long with smooth, dark green skin that is slightly thick, and large seeds on the inside
• What Do Garden Cucumbers Taste Like? Subtle and slightly sweet, with a hint of bitterness in the skin
• How to Use Garden Cucumbers: In salads, wraps, and garnishes, perfect for pickling

2. English Cucumbers

English cucumbers, also known as hothouse or seedless cucumbers, are a popular variety prized for their mild flavor and slender, seedless flesh. They are often grown in controlled environments such as greenhouses or hydroponic systems, allowing for year-round availability and consistent quality. These cucumbers are typically longer than other varieties, with thin, tender skin that does not require peeling. Their delicate skin makes them a poor candidate for pickling. English cucumbers are commonly used in salads and sandwiches, and they are a perfect garnish for drinks like watermelon mojitos due to their delicate flavor. Their seedless nature makes them a favorite for slicing and adding to dishes where seeds might be undesirable.

• What Do English Cucumbers Look Like? Long and slim with thin, tender skin, and few seeds on the inside
• What Do English Cucumbers Taste Like? Mild with a delicate sweet flavor
• How to Use English Cucumbers: For snacking, as cocktail garnishes, and in cucumber tea sandwiches

English Cucumber vs Regular

The English cucumber and regular cucumber are two popular varieties commonly used in commercial kitchens. English cucumbers are longer and slimmer with thinner skin, making them ideal for slicing and garnishing dishes. Regular cucumbers, or garden cucumbers, have a thicker skin and more seeds, making them better suited for pickling or adding a crunchy texture to salads.

3. Gherkins

Gherkin cucumbers are typically smaller in size compared to other cucumber types. They are often harvested when they are young and small, typically measuring around 1 to 3 inches in length. These cucumbers are known for their slightly bumpy skin and distinct flavor profile. Gherkins have a slightly tart and tangy taste, which adds a kick to dishes. They are commonly used to make pickles due to their firmness and ability to absorb flavors from pickling brines and spices while retaining crunchiness after processing. Their petite size makes them ideal for pickling whole or slicing into rounds for use in salads and relishes.

• What Do Gherkins Look Like? Small size between 1”-3” with bumpy skin
• What Do Gherkins Taste Like? Slightly sour, tart, and tangy flavor
• How to Use Gherkins: Turned into pickles, added to charcuterie boards, and made into relish

4. Persian Cucumbers

Persian cucumbers, also known as mini cucumbers, measure around 4 to 6 inches in length. Persian cucumbers have a crisp texture and a mild, refreshing flavor, adding a fresh crunch to dishes. One of the key characteristics of Persian cucumbers is their thin, tender skin, which does not require peeling. This skin is also less bitter than that of other cucumber varieties. Persian cucumbers are often featured in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, where they are commonly pickled or served raw as a side dish. Additionally, their smaller size makes them ideal for slicing into thin rounds or spears for appetizers and hors d'oeuvres.

• What Do Persian Cucumbers Look Like? Small to medium size between 4”-6”, dark green and slightly wrinkled skin, very few seeds
• What Do Persian Cucumbers Taste Like? Crisp and slightly sweet
• How to Use Persian Cucumbers: For snacking, pickled, and used for hors d'oeuvres

Persian Cucumbers vs English

English and Persian cucumbers share many similarities but differ greatly in size. At around 14 inches, English cucumbers are significantly longer than Persian cucumbers, which only measure to about 4 to 6 inches. Both have thin, dark green skin that isn't very bitter and does not need to be peeled. English and Persian cucumber are also relatively seedless, making them great for snacking.

5. Lemon Cucumbers

Lemon cucumbers, also known as round yellow cucumbers, are a unique variety that are small to medium in size and have a round shape, resembling a lemon in both color and size. While they may not have the traditional elongated shape of other cucumber varieties, lemon cucumbers offer a slightly sweet and almost citrusy taste. Their vibrant yellow skin does not need to be peeled before serving and can add a pop of color to dishes, making them visually appealing to customers. These cucumbers are popular in Mediterranean dishes and can be enjoyed raw in salads, sliced for sandwiches, or pickled for a tangy twist.

• What Do Lemon Cucumbers Look Like? Small, round with thin, pale yellow skin, resemble yellow lemons
• What Do Lemon Cucumbers Taste Like? Refreshing and with a hint of sweetness and citrus notes
• How to Use Lemon Cucumbers: Pickled, in sandwiches, and tossed with pesto or lemon honey dressing for lemon cucumber salads

6. Kirby Cucumbers

Kirby cucumbers are renowned for their crunchy texture. They have bumpy, green skin with some yellow hues and small white spines. These cucumbers are commonly used in pickling due to their ability to retain their crispness even after being processed. They are shorter and stouter than other cucumber varieties, making them ideal for pickling jars. Their skin is thin and does not require peeling, making Kirby cucumbers a popular choice for traditional pickles, cooling cucumber sandwiches, and diced atop gazpacho.

• What Do Kirby Cucumbers Look Like? 3” to 6” inches long, yellowish green skin with small bumps or ridges
• What Do Kirby Cucumbers Taste Like? Crunchy with a mild and cooling flavor
• How to Use Kirby Cucumbers: Made into pickles, diced for gazpacho toppings, and in cucumber sandwiches

Kirby Cucumber vs Persian

Persian and Kirby cucumbers are both relatively small in size, but they have distinct differences. Kirby cucumbers are small and firm with bumpy skin and ideal for pickling due to their crunchy texture and ability to absorb flavors. Persian cucumbers are slender, seedless, and known for their mild, sweet flavor, making them perfect for salads, sandwiches, and fresh applications.

7. Japanese Cucumbers

Japanese cucumbers, also known as Kyuri cucumbers, are commonly used in traditional Japanese cuisine. These cucumbers are long and slender with thin skin and a low seed content, which contributes to their tender flesh and delicate flavor. This makes them ideal for slicing and adding to sushi dishes or Japanese pickling recipes, such as sunomono, a sweet and tangy cucumber salad. Japanese cucumbers are valued for their consistent size and shape, which makes them perfect for uniform slicing and presentation. They are often eaten raw and are prized for their crunchy bite.

• What Do Japanese Cucumbers Look Like? Slender with thin, bumpy, dark green skin
• What Do Japanese Cucumbers Taste Like? Mild melon-like flavor
• How to Use Japanese Cucumbers: In salads, for adding crunch to sushi rolls, and quick-pickled

Japanese Cucumbers vs English

English and Japanese cucumbers are both slender and smooth, with Japanese cucumbers typically being thinner and occasionally longer. The skin of the Japanese cucumber is also thinner and smoother than that of an English cucumber. Both are considered slicing cucumbers with thin skin that is less bitter than most cucumber varieties. Japanese cucumbers tend to have a more melon-like flavor than English cucumbers.

8. Armenian Cucumbers

Armenian cucumbers, also known as snake cucumbers or yard-long cucumbers, are actually a type of melon rather than a true cucumber, belonging to the Cucumis melo species. They are often used in the same manner as cucumbers and have appearance similarities that lead to the name confusion. One of the defining features of Armenian cucumbers is their elongated shape, which can grow up to 3 feet in length. These cucumbers have a thin, pale green skin with fresh, juicy flesh inside. The skin does not need to be peeled and the flesh is mild and slightly sweet like standard cucumbers. Armenian cucumbers are often used in salads, cold soups, and as a garnish for cocktails and beverages.

• What Do Armenian Cucumbers Look Like? Long and slender with light green skin that is ridged and slightly bumpy
• What Do Armenian Cucumbers Taste Like? Slightly sweet flavor and a crisp texture
• How to Use Armenian Cucumbers: As cocktail garnishes, topping cold soups, and in Mediterranean cuisine like Armenian cucumber and tomato salads

Cucumber FAQs

We answer some of the most common questions asked about cucumbers below:

Is a Cucumber a Fruit?

Cucumbers are often mistaken for vegetables, but botanically speaking, they are actually classified as fruits. They belong to the same family as melons and squashes, known as the Cucurbitaceae family. Cucumbers develop from the flower of the cucumber plant and contain seeds, which are characteristics of fruits. Despite their savory culinary uses, cucumbers are scientifically considered fruits.

How to Store Cucumbers?

To ensure the freshness and quality of cucumbers, proper storage is essential. Store cucumbers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Refrigerate cucumbers in a perforated plastic bag to maintain moisture levels and prevent them from drying out. Avoid storing cucumbers near ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas, as this can cause them to spoil faster. Proper storage can help extend the shelf life of cucumbers and maintain their crisp texture and flavor.

Can You Freeze Cucumbers?

Freezing cucumbers is possible, but the texture may change as they thaw. Sliced cucumbers can become soft and mushy after freezing, making them better suited for use in cooked dishes or smoothies rather than fresh applications. To freeze cucumbers, wash, peel, and slice them before placing in an airtight container or freezer bag.

What Is a Burpless Cucumber?

Burpless cucumbers are a type of cucumber that is less likely to cause digestive issues. These cucumbers were bred to have reduced levels of cucurbitacin, making them easier to digest, reducing the likelihood of burping after consumption. They will typically have thinner, less bitter skin and smaller seeds. English and Armenian cucumbers are considered burpless cucumbers.

Pickling vs Slicing Cucumbers

Two common categories of cucumbers are pickling cucumbers and slicing cucumbers. Pickling cucumbers are typically smaller in size compared to slicing cucumbers. These cucumbers are ideal for pickling due to their firm texture and ability to hold up well during the pickling process. Pickling cucumbers usually have slightly bumpy skin, which helps them absorb the pickling brine and spices, resulting in a flavorful and crunchy pickle. Kirby cucumbers are a type of pickling cucumber. Slicing cucumbers, such as English or Japanese cucumbers, are larger in size and have smoother skin. These cucumbers are commonly used fresh in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish. Slicing cucumbers have a milder flavor and a higher water content compared to pickling cucumbers, making them hydrating when consumed raw.

Whether you're looking to add crunch to a salad, infuse flavor into a beverage, or create pickled snacks, cucumbers offer endless possibilities for culinary creativity. Becoming familiar with the different cucumber varieties available can help you expand your menu and delight your customers.