Cucumbers are a versatile ingredient, but they can go slimy before their time. A food blogger has shared a simple trick to make sure they stay fresh
A perfect companion to sandwiches, salads and dips, cucumbers are a handy ingredient to keep available for countless dishes. Sadly, they have a tendency to turn slimy prematurely.
Whilst you might assume there’s nowhere better to keep cucumbers than the fridge, temperatures that are excessively cold can actually cause them to spoil more quickly. Cucumbers are remarkably sensitive to chillier conditions.
They experience ‘cold injury’ and decline swiftly when stored below 10C.
Marzia, a chef and founder of Little Spice Jar, has recommended a straightforward technique to keep cucumbers fresh – requiring nothing more than a metal spoon.
Marzia revealed: “Add [cucumbers] to a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a metal spoon to the same container. Snap the lid on the container and place it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.”
Although it might seem peculiar, a metal spoon maintains a consistent temperature, helping cucumbers stay fresh for much longer, reports the Express.
Simply place the cucumbers in a container alongside a metal spoon and position the container on your fridge’s top or middle shelf.
Including a paper towel in the container assists with soaking up any excess moisture.
This location usually keeps the most moderate temperature inside the fridge and offers ideal conditions to stop cucumber deterioration.
Steer clear of keeping cucumbers at the rear of the fridge or close to the freezer vent, since the extreme cold can trigger chilling damage.
Additionally, store cucumbers away from tomatoes, which emit ethylene gas causing quick deterioration.
Ethylene gas, an unseen and scentless substance, aids in the ripening and flavour development of fruit.
However, this has the unintended consequence of hastening decay in surrounding produce.
By spending a few minutes to properly store cucumbers, they can stay perfectly fresh and crisp for up to a fortnight longer than expected.