Cucumbers may not be the most exciting or flavoursome vegetable, but they’re popular for a reason. They add a delicious fresh crunch to salads, and are particularly tasty in Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dishes when paired with mint, dill or yoghurt.
You’ll know that when you buy cucumbers from the supermarket, they’re almost always wrapped in plastic. This is to keep them as fresh as possible, because once they’re exposed to the air, they’re notorious for going bad quickly. However, there could be another reason why your cucumber isn’t lasting as long as it should – and it could be other vegetables that are the culprit.
Cucumbers have a very high moisture content and a thin skin, meaning they’re one of the most perishable veggies around. And even if you keep them in the fridge, it’s often not very long because they’re mushy.
Knowing exactly where to store them within the fridge is key here. According to Jamie Moracci, CEO of Pure Flavor, inside the crisper drawer is best – because humidity levels are higher and temperature is more stable here.
Cucumbers are also highly sensitive to ethylene, a gas that makes produce ripen more quickly, so make sure to store them away from other ethylene-producing fruits and vegetables like apples, bananas, and tomatoes.
Should you keep cucumbers in plastic wrap?
It can be difficult to know how to store your produce after you bring it home from the supermarket, because sometimes the packaging that they use can actually make your food perish more quickly.
However, when it comes to cucumbers, the advice from experts is clear. You should only ever unwrap the section of cucumber that you plan to cut off and eat, and keep the plastic surrounding the remaining part.
You should also then re-wrap the cut section to prevent spoilage and make it last longer.
“When you’re ready for the next serving, slice off a thin piece from the exposed end and discard it before washing and eating the remaining portion,” Jamie said.
“Keeping cucumbers in their original plastic wrap helps preserve freshness and extend shelf life.”
When stored correctly in the fridge, cucumbers can last up to 10 days, however they’re most delicious and fresh if you eat then within the first five days of purchase.