THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP CUCUMBERS FROM BEING SLIMY AND MUSHY
The only way to keep cucumbers from being slimy and mushy
Cucumber is a great vegetable that makes a refreshing addition to salads, sandwiches and noodles. Imagine your fear when you open your fridge to find what you need to cover is slime.
It’s awful, but here’s how to avoid it.
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Why cucumbers get slimy
When cucumbers have a weak cover or start to become mushy, this is a sign that they have rotted and it is necessary to be thrown out.
Cucumbers have a high water content. This is what makes it a good hydrating food. However, this excess water also causes them to have a shorter lifespan.
Is it okay to eat slimy cucumbers?
It can be tempting to wash away the slime or cut the mushy part. But the slime indicates that the whole cucumber has begun to rot and that there are health risks associated with eating the spoiled items. Eating foods that show signs of spoilage can lead to foodborne illness or stomach problems. To avoid health risks, discard cucumbers that are slimy or mushy.
The best way to store cucumbers
One of the best ways to avoid damage is to store it properly. Ideally, store cucumbers in the crisper drawer of the fridge. They should be stored between 50°F and 54°F and about 90% to 95% humidity. If kept at a temperature below 50ºF (below 50ºF) for more than two or three days, cucumbers can develop what is called chilling injury: where the water enters, pit in the skin, discoloration and decay.
If the cucumbers are not shrink, it can help to keep them in a closed plastic bag, which is not removed and not washed. It can also help to wrap them in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. Paper towels can help absorb moisture to keep it fresher for longer. Do not store cucumbers near tomatoes, apples, avocados, or other ethylene-producing species. This gas can cause cucumbers to rot quickly.
Read also:HOW TO STORE CABBAGE SO THAT IT DOES NOT LOSE ITS TEXTURE
Should you wash cucumbers before eating them?
Cucumbers often get a waxy coating, like many other fruits and vegetables, to help them stay moist during transport. Wax helps keep products fresh, prevents the growth of mold and disease, and keeps products healthy
The packaging must be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and be safe for consumption. But it is still important to wash the purchased cucumbers thoroughly before eating them. Wash them under cold water or scrub the surface with a vegetable brush. Do not cut them before washing them. This will prevent the knife from being able to spread bacteria and skin into the pulp of the product.
How to choose the best cucumbers
It’s almost like a game of chance when you’re in the production department, looking at cucumbers to choose for your cart. Cucumbers with thick skin can stay fresh for a long time, but cucumbers with thin skin can start to get slimy more quickly.
For the freshest cucumbers that don’t have to go soft very quickly, you want to find a firm cucumber that has a bright green color with no eye spots or soft spot. Don’t buy more cucumbers than you can eat in a week.
