February 21, 2025, 2:58 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Whether it is a cucumber from the garden or from the supermarket, it is important that it is crunchy. To keep the flesh fresh and crunchy, it is important to store them correctly.
Whether in a salad, as a fresh addition to sandwiches, or as a snack, cucumbers are not only refreshing but also healthy. They contain valuable nutrients such as potassium, iodine, manganese, and sulfur, as well as vitamins A, B, and C — amazing for such a water-rich vegetable! There is only one problem: they dry out quickly. The problem is often that cucumbers are stored incorrectly.
How to Store Cucumbers Correctly
Cucumbers belong to the pumpkin family. They originally come from warm regions and are, therefore, sensitive to the cold. However, they should not be stored too warm. They are best eaten fresh. If they are not needed immediately, it is best to store them in a dark and cool place. Temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius are ideal, according to the Consumer Advice Center of Bavaria. Under these conditions, cucumbers will stay fresh for up to three weeks.
A cool cellar or pantry would be ideal. If neither is available, cucumbers can be stored in the vegetable compartment of the fridge. However, they spoil more quickly there, especially if the temperature is too low. The consumer advice center advises wrapping cucumbers in a slightly damp tea towel and placing them in a sealable container. Under no circumstances should cucumbers be stored at room temperature; otherwise, they will become soft.
Important: Whether in the fridge, storeroom, or cellar, cucumbers should not be stored near apples, pears, or bananas. These fruits produce ethylene, a ripening gas that accelerates the ripening process. While this is desirable for some fruits, it is detrimental to cucumbers as it causes them to spoil more quickly.
How Does a Sliced Cucumber Stay Fresh?
If the cucumber has already been cut, it is best to wrap the end in plastic wrap. You can also place the cucumber in an airtight container. If you have already cut the cucumber into smaller pieces, you can also place these in a container; even an old jam jar works well. In this way, you can store cut cucumbers in the fridge for a few days.
How Do You Prevent Cucumbers from Becoming Watery and Glassy?
Cucumbers don’t like it too cold. If they are stored at temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius, this is noticeable in their texture, according to the Consumer Advice Center of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). The low temperatures destroy the cell walls. Even small cracks cause water to leak out of the cells. You can also see this. The cucumber then looks glassy.
Ideally, cucumbers should be stored between 12 and 15 degrees. Temperatures between 8 and 11 degrees are possible in the short term, but the cucumbers should then be eaten within three to four days to avoid any loss of quality.
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How Do You Prevent Cucumbers from Drying Out?
If it is too cold, the cucumber becomes mushy and soft. If it is too warm, they wilt more quickly and dry out. The right storage conditions can also help here: dark and cool. A slightly damp cloth can also help to preserve freshness.