English Seedless Cucumber 1 Each

The **English Seedless Cucumber** (also known as a **hothouse**, **greenhouse**, **European**, or **burpless** cucumber) is a popular variety known for several key characteristics: ### Key Characteristics * **Appearance:** They are typically long and slender, often measuring around a foot in length. The skin is a deep green color, thin, and smooth, sometimes with faint ridges. * **Skin:** The skin is **thin and tender**, so it does **not need to be peeled** before eating. Unlike the common slicing cucumber, the skin is not coated with a thick wax. * **Seeds:** They are called "seedless" because the seeds are very small, soft, and edible. The small seeds and low levels of a compound called cucurbitacin contribute to a **non-bitter** taste and the "burpless" nickname, as they are often easier to digest. * **Taste and Texture:** They have a **mild, subtly sweet, and refreshing** flavor with a crisp, firm texture. * **Packaging:** They are usually found individually **wrapped in plastic** shrink-wrap to protect their delicate, thin skin from damage and moisture loss, which extends their shelf life. ### Culinary Uses English cucumbers are very versatile and generally preferred for dishes where the cucumber is consumed raw: * **Salads:** Excellent for tossed salads due to their thin, edible skin and lack of large seeds. * **Snacking:** Great sliced, as "cucumber chips," or in crudités for dipping. * **Sandwiches:** Ideal for thin slices in finger sandwiches (like cucumber tea sandwiches) or wraps. * **Beverages:** Used to flavor water, cocktails, or to make cool, refreshing juices. * **Dips and Cold Soups:** Perfect for use in recipes like tzatziki or gazpacho. ### Nutrition Cucumbers, including the English variety, are primarily composed of water (about 95%), making them very hydrating and low in calories. They contain various vitamins and minerals, including: * **High water content:** Excellent for hydration. * **Vitamins:** A source of **Vitamin K** and **Vitamin C**. * **Minerals:** Contains potassium and magnesium. * **Fiber:** Found mostly in the skin, which is why eating it unpeeled maximizes the nutritional benefit.