Is cucumber a fruit?

Is cucumber a fruit?

The interest to know if cucumber is a fruit or a vegetable is necessary for proper classification.

Many people food group cucumbers as vegetables but that’s not what they are. Of truth, cucumbers are botanically and scientifically considered a type of fruit in the family of fruits.

The main reason it’s thought to be a fruit and not a vegetable is linked to its biological function.

According to plant scientists, a fruit permits plants with flowers to reproduce, and in this case, cucumber grows from flowers and also contains plenty of seeds that may help reproduce more cucumbers in later times after cultivation. Therefore, clear your confusion as to which food group cucumbers belong to.

 Why do you need to eat cucumber?

You can eat cucumbers and the main reason you need to eat cucumbers is to strengthen your immune system and prevent your body from falling sick or catching contagious diseases. Cucumber is good for you. It has amazing vitamins and minerals plus 95 percent of water. Eating cucumbers can benefit beyond boosting your internal body organs. Glowing skin, rich body hydration, quick digestion, and no constipation are a few among many you can gain from eating cucumbers. Preparation is so easy as you need not cook them before eating. Good simple ways to eat cucumber is to add some fresh slices to salad or sandwich, make a smoothie with it, or eat it raw.

Note: the focus is on humans and did not answer “can dogs eat cucumber?”

Cucumber nutrition

One cucumber a day can profer incredible health benefits to your body and this is because of the nutrients contained. Here are cucumber nutrition facts by the USDA.

According to USDA, half cup (52g) of sliced cucumber with the peel has the following nutritional value…

Calories

Cucumber Calories of 1/2 cup sliced is 8.

Carbs

Cucumber carbs is 1.9 grams. That is, the amount of carbohydrate in 1/2 cup of sliced cucumber is almost 2 grams. Also, read 12 foods you can eat for quick weight loss

Sugar

The value of natural sugar in cucumber 0.9 grams. It’s thought to have a low glycemic index of 15 as well.

Fat

The fat value ( 0.1g) in cucumber is almost zero.

  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Fiber: 0.3g
  • Protein: 0.3g​

Other nutritional contents include vitamin B, C and K, potassium, magnesium, biotin, and phosphorus.

Culinary definition of cucumber

The question ‘Is cucumber a fruit?’ will take a different answer when placed on the table of kitchen experts.

Here, cucumber may mean fruit and vegetables depending on what it’s being used for or paired with. A plant that is vegetable in a non-chef hand can become fruit in the hands of a chef. In kitchen practices, plants are food grouped into fruits or vegetables based on flavor profile, texture, and the best applications within a particular dish.

Food specialists believe Fruits are mostly sweet, tart, or tangy, and they typically have a softer, more delicate texture than vegetables. To them, vegetables are usually tougher in texture and generally have more bitter elements in their flavor profile.

And as a result, they use fruits in desserts, pastries, syrups, sauces, and smoothies that call for such flavors and textures While vegetables are best used for savory dishes like entrees, soups, and salads.

In a nutshell, cucumbers maintain their vegetable designation in Culinary practices but serve as fruit when mixed with sweeter fruits like berries or melon.

Ways to consume cucumber

The question “is cucumber a fruit” has been answered, so let’s discuss how to eat and enjoy them. Here are ways to enjoy this plant…

Smoothie

One best way to enjoy cucumbers is to make smoothies with them. Smoothies are healthy for you so long you use healthy ingredients while making them. Different cucumber smoothie recipes exist, and each recipe gives a unique benefit. Weight loss, stable blood pressure, good sleep, body fitness, digestion, and more have their unique smoothie recipes.

How to make an immune-boosting cucumber smoothie

Ingredients

  • Cucumber,
  • Pineapple
  • Frozen banana
  • Light coconut milk
  • Water
  • Lime zest
  • Lime juice
  • Green veggies like spinach,
  • Ice cubes

Add all ingredients together in a blender, blend until creamy and smooth then serve with a clean cup. For a thicker smoothie, add more ice.

Salad

Cucumber can be used for both fruit and vegetable salad. It’s thought to be among the top best fruit and vegetable salad to try out. It’s affordable and very simple and easy to make. Here is what is required and how to make cucumber salad.

Ingredients…

  • two cucumbers.
  • one red onion finely chopped.
  • Four large fresh diced tomatoes.
  • two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice.
  • One fresh garlic cloves minced (optional)

Peel and dice all raw vegetables, put them on a clean plate, add lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic then serve.

Dish

A perfectly delicious way to get more vegetables and fruits into your meal is to add cucumbers. They give you that fresh bite and crunchy experience when you eat them from breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There are varieties of dishes you can add this plant to which include jollof rice, spaghetti, and other pasta foods, burger, etc.

Sandwich

Vegetables are a must for a complete sandwich food. Just as earlier mentioned, cucumbers are vegetables in the culinary sense and are often used in sandwiches. So add some to your sandwiches for healthy eating.

Buying and selecting cucumbers

Heat and cucumbers don’t marry and that can get them spoiling before you know it. So to avoid your cucumbers going bad quickly, check and select the ones sampled on a cool or refrigerated case. Confirm they are firm, in good condition, and of good colour ( bright medium to dark green ) before buying.  Cucumbers that are puffy and have yellow body colour should be avoided.

How to store cucumbers

The best way to store cucumbers is to put them in the fridge. The coldness of the refrigerated will help retain their freshness for a longer period of time. In the case one full cucumber is not used up in a meal, put the remainder in a plastic container that has a top cover, close it, and put it back into the fridge. Make sure the container is air-tight to avoid it drying out fast. Cucumbers are perishables and should not be stored for long else they will lose freshness. 2 to 3days’ storage is good enough. One week of cucumber storage, makes them become limp.

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