What's the difference between a Kirby and a cucumber?

Great for pickling, Kirby cucumbers have a thicker and bumpy skin. They are mild in flavor an crunchy, so if you don't get around to pickling, they do make for great salad cukes.

Is Kirby the same as cucumber?

The term “Kirby cucumber” has now become synonymous with pickling cucumbers, even though there are other pickling cucumber varieties that didn't always fall under this classification. These cucumbers don't have a waxy outer layer, which is why they are so ideal for pickling.

What kind of cucumber is a Kirby?

Kirby cucumbers are small, usually 6 inches long or less, with bumpy skins and firm flesh. They are the most common variety of pickling cucumbers (and are usually recommended in pickle recipes) but we also love them in salads and diced into gazpacho.

Are Kirby and Persian cucumbers the same?

Then you also like kirby cucumbers. These cukes are the most widely-pickled variety of cucumbers. They're short like Persians but a little fatter, with bumpy skin and a dense interior that can hold up up to an assertive brine—big crunch, big flavor, convenient package.

Why are Kirby cucumbers called Kirby?

Kirby Cucumbers is now a generic term for any small cucumber sold for pickling. There actually were actual Kirby Cucumbers, developed by a Norval E. Kirby and first released in 1920. They had names such as Black Diamond, D.

What Is Kirby Cucumber?

Can you grow Kirby cucumbers?

Plant seedlings 18 inches apart in full sun. Use a trellis to grow Kirby cucumbers, which will help increase air circulation and reduce the risk of mildew.

Can you eat Kirby cucumbers raw?

Kirby (or Pickling) Cucumbers: Short, oftentimes bumpy, these vary in color from yellow to dark green. They are good to eat raw, but they're especially ideal for pickling. Persian Cucumbers: Similar to English Cucumbers, these are mild in taste. Sometimes bumpy, and with thin skins, they are ideal for eating raw.

What's the best tasting cucumber?

The best-tasting cucumbers are those that are slicing cucumbers. English cucumbers don't have the bitter chemical cucurbitacin that some cucumbers have. They also have higher natural sugar content, making them sweeter. The lack of seeds and thinner skin also English cucumbers more enjoyable to eat.

Are Kirby cucumbers good for you?

"Not only are they high in water content, they also contain important nutrients that play a part in hydration like magnesium and potassium." The anti-inflammatory compounds in cucumbers help remove waste from the body (opens in new tab) and reduce skin irritation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

What are the big cucumbers called?

Armenian cucumbers, also called snakemelon or snake cucumber, have very long, twisted fruit with dark green, thin skin and pale green stripes the length of the fruit – which turns yellow and aromatic as it ripens and has a mild flavor.

What are regular cucumbers called?

What's the difference? The cucumber you refer to as "regular" is the most common field-grown variety. Known as a slicing cucumber, it ranges in size from 6 to 9 inches, and its dark-green skin is usually waxed to prevent moisture loss.

Is there a difference between pickling cucumbers and regular cucumbers?

Pickling cucumbers are shorter and bigger around than slicing cucumbers. They are bred to have thinner skins and black spines so the pickled product will look better. Pickling varieties can be eaten fresh and slicing varieties can be pickled, but the differences can be discerned by the average consumer.

What's another name for English cucumber?

English cucumbers, Cucumis sativus, were actually bred to create a cucumber without some of the more undesirable characteristics that this vegetable has, such as a tough outer skin, large seeds, and a bitter taste. They are also known as hothouse cucumber, burpless cucumber, seedless cucumber, and European cucumber.

Are gherkins pickled cucumbers?

A gherkin is a pickled baby cucumber. The name “gherkin” comes from the Dutch word “gurken,” which means small pickled cucumber. Gherkins, also known as baby pickles or miniature cucumbers, are usually one to two inches long.

What kind of cucumbers do you need to make pickles?

Kirby cucumbers are the classic pickling cucumber — they hold up better than English cucumbers during pickling, remaining firm and crunchy instead of becoming overly soft. I've also found that Persian cucumbers make very nice pickles — they have thinner skin and are the perfect size for packing into pint jars.

Why is cucumber not good for you?

Cucumber is also not a friendly snack for people with sensitive stomachs. It contains an ingredient called cucurbitacin, which is a powerful ingredient, known to cause indigestion problems. Even a little growling or indigestion can lead to flatulence or burping, which again makes it difficult to rest with ease.

Does cucumber reduce belly fat?

Cucumber: Loaded with only 45 calories, cucumbers are great for a flat stomach. This is because cucumber contains as much as 96 percent water content, which does not give you a bloating stomach and helps your body to cool down.

What happens when you eat cucumber everyday?

They are low in calories but contain many important vitamins and minerals, as well as a high water content. Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels.

What cucumber is sweetest?

Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.

Which cucumber is best for weight loss?

A cup of sliced cucumber has only 14 calories, which makes up for less than 1 per cent of the daily calories allowed on a weight loss diet. A medium-sized cucumber has only 24 calories, which makes it a very low-density food.

Which cucumber is best for salad?

English cucumbers typically come wrapped in plastic at the grocery store. It has a deep green hue and pinched ends. Sweet and mild, this seedless cucumber is perfect for chopped salads and canapes because you don't have to scoop on the centers to prevent bogging down the recipe with excess water.

Is there another name for Kirby cucumber?

Kirby Cucumbers

Kirbys are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw, but flavorful enough to be perfect for pickling too. Sometimes, they're even sold under the name "pickling cucumbers."

Why is English cucumber wrapped in plastic?

Plastic Wrap Helps Cucumbers Last Longer

It acts as both an insulator to protect against cold injury and prevents and slows dehydration and spoilage. Plastic-wrapped cucumbers typically last about 10 days in the refrigerator, which is a bit longer than their unwrapped counterparts.

Why is it called Lebanese cucumber?

Lebanese cucumbers are small, smooth-skinned and mild tasting. In Australia, he said, this type of cucumber was attributed to the Lebanese community because migrants from Lebanon were the first to bring the seeds from their country and began planting them in their backyards.

Can any cucumber be used for pickles?

Slicing cucumbers, which includes English cucumbers, can be used for pickles, but you might get a softer pickle. Slicing cucumbers though always can be used in relish with no hesitation, where any softness won't matter near as much. To help, you can make sure to chill cucumbers well before starting.