Are cucumbers bitter because of chemicals on their peel?

Answer:

Eating cucumbers bring several benefits to humans’ health, as they contain no cholesterol and fat, a low number of calories, and high amounts of water, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They can be consumed raw or made into salad or juice.

Eating cucumbers bring several benefits to humans’ health. Photo illustration by Freepik

Some cucumbers may taste bitter, but that does not mean they have chemicals or pesticides in them. In fact, it is the result of cucumbers’ self-protective mechanism against insects, which generates a compound called cucurbitacin that tastes bitter in cucumbers’ ends.

To remove cucurbitacin, simply cut the ends of the cucumbers and rub those sliced ends over the remaining part in a circular motion.

If the cucumber still tastes bitter after being treated by the method, it is recommended not to eat it.

Dr. Nguyen Duy Thinh

Former executive at the Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology

Hanoi University of Science and Technology