Perhaps someone on Dave's can help me! We have grown many varieties of cucumbers and sometimes when you go to eat one you'll notice it has a BITTER terrible taste while others taste just fine. I've never gotten an odd tasting one from the grocery store. So what is causing this?
I have raised beds, soaker system on a timer and they can come from the same plant.
I hope someone can help me solve this mystery!
Cucumber Problems...
Yep, it can sure be a mystery, Tir!
Often-times the bitterness can come from extreme heat as well as other variables (moisture stress, humidity, etc). It sounds like you have the watering end of things under control though.
Some varieties are more susceptible to bittering. Also, the curcubitacin compound (which is what makes them taste bitter) is usually most concentrated on the ends but if conditions are right for it then that bitterness/compound will permeate the entire cuke, most often in the skin. You can get rid of it by peeling the skin off many varieties. I've even witnessed the bitterness subsiding if you chill the cukes before eating..it seems to detract a bit of the bitter compound (cucurbitacin) and make the cuke more palatable.
Shoe.
Shoe, Thanks for your sight.
You're welcome.
I've grown "Lemon apple" cukes (a.k.a "Lemon cucumber") and have never had a bitter cuke from them. At this point in time I'm also trying out "Telegraph", one of the long slender cukes (that get bigtime bucks at the grocery store!) which is also supposed to be "less bitter". Will let you know how they do. Both of those varieties are OP. Will be glad to share seeds with you anytime.
Shoe.
Shoe.
Very generous! Thank-you for the offer. We may try a new variety this fall again. We tried Little Leaf this year and this latest batch seems to have more bitter than the spring crop.
Yep...Little Leaf is a parthenocarpic cuke and tends to have a bit of "bitter" trouble sometimes...I've grown it mainly for an early season cuke and for pickling. (The pickling will get rid of or mask the bitterness.)
Shoe.
Shoe.
Wow, you are like the best veggie gardener I've talked to so far!!! DH will appreciate your replies, didn't realize that about the Little Leaf! And I have about 20 in the crisper. Phooey. =) Just have to peel and taste test each one before serving. Sad thing is I like to give out produce but not if risking poor taste.
Hah! Well, there are lots of great veggie gardeners on DG, but thanks for the compliment. As for me, I can only post on topics I know from first-hand experience and it isn't then I'll be sure to tell you something like "they sayyyy...." etc!
I bet if your cukes are in the fridge you might see the bitterness go away. OR...check out the DG Cookbook and try out Mystic's "Freezer Pickles" recipe. That would be a great way to use your cukes! (I'll be making some of those tomorrow, I hope!)
Happy Gardening, in All you Gardens of Life!
Shoe.