Why cucumbers are bitter

Many people are wondering why cucumbers are bitter. Most people do not know the answer to it. How to get rid of this bitterness, too, remains a mystery.

Bitterness, as a rule, brings unpleasant taste sensations. Since ancient times, bitter taste has been associated with something poisonous, and many herbal poisons possess just such a taste. Bitter cucumbers fell out of favor because of this. The cucumber itself is a pretty whimsical and very delicate plant. Large night and daytime temperature fluctuations are unacceptable for him. Cucumber does not welcome both cold and excessive heat. Similar conditions for him are in some way stressful, and therefore he develops a protective anti-stress substance called cukurbitacin. That's why cucumbers are bitter, and their variety affects it to a lesser extent. The more this substance, the more bitter the fruit will be. The main part of cucurbitin is concentrated in the peduncle. As you mature, bitterness decreases markedly.

When it became clear why the cucumbers were bitter, many breeders were obsessed with the dream of breeding a variety that would not react to any temperature fluctuations. For decades, sweet varieties were harvested by the selection of plants containing a small amount of cucurbitin. In the selection process, the fruits were sampled for taste, not their fruits, but their cotyledonous leaves. On the basis of this, it was concluded that if these sprouts do not have a bitter taste, then the fruits will not be bitter either.

When researching fruits, scientists discovered genes that were responsible for the presence of bitterness. They tried to bring out hybrids, in which bitterness would be minimized. Such selection selection gave positive results. But recently these hybrids have begun to be bitter. The explanation of this phenomenon, according to experts, lies in the impact on the genomes of plants of solar radiation.

What kind of growing conditions can affect the taste of cucumbers? They should be known to everyone who wishes to have sweet fruit in their beds. One of the reasons that cucumbers are bitter is the exposure to them of direct sunlight. Suffice it five to seven hot days in a row, so that the bitterness of the fruit significantly increased.

In addition, these plants need moderate watering, but only not very cold water. In extreme heat, they should be watered in small doses, in the morning and in the evening. Soil needs to be moistened no less than ten to fifteen centimeters deep. The taste of cucumbers is influenced by very cold weather or, conversely, too hot. Bitterness in them appears and because of the strong temperature difference. It negatively affects the taste of the fruits of top dressing with fresh manure. Periodically, the soil around the plants should be loosened, and the whips should not be turned over when collecting fruits, otherwise they will dry out.

Ideal conditions for growing cucumbers are moisture, heat and partial shade. However, if the cucumber (varieties do not matter) is still bitter, the trouble is not great. The tip of the fruit on which the tail is located, is the most bitter. It can be cut off or cleaned with a knife, however, do not forget that it is in the peel contains the greatest amount of useful substances. When marinating or pickling, cucumbers lose their bitterness completely. It should be noted that cucurbitacin is absolutely harmless to health, and can even be useful in fighting some diseases. A little bitterness gives some dishes a special piquancy.

So do not be too puzzled by the problem, why cucumbers are bitter, and work hard with it. After all, according to the testimony of many studies, substances contained in bitter fruits help in the fight against excess weight, and also contribute to lowering blood sugar levels. And many more secrets will have to be revealed to the scientist in order to fully study the properties of this fruit.