What type of cucumber is best for pickling?

Pass over long, thin-skinned varieties, like English hothouse cucumbers. “I like to use medium-to-small-sized Kirby cukes,” says Brad. The Kirby variety has a thicker skin that can stand up to the pickling liquid, and remains crunchy, with a good snap, long after it’s been preserved.

Which cucumbers are Gynoecious?

Therefore they produce a lot of fruit in a shorter amount of time than monoecious cucumbers. The gynoecious cucumbers like the Stonewall or Calypso cucumbers are hybrid varieties that contain a strong disease resistance in the vegetable garden.

Are there different types of pickling cucumbers?

The cucumbers mature at one and a half to five inches long, for example, the perfect range of sizes for gherkin pickles, or those pre-cut into sandwich slices or spears. They’re also blockier than slicing types, which is intentional. Note that pickling cucumber plants can be vining, bush, or dwarf varieties.

Are Armenian cucumbers Gynoecious?

These varieties are gynoecious and parthenocarpic. For something extraordinary and foreign, try the Armenian cucumber, also known descriptively as Yard Long cucumber. These fruits have smooth, pale skins and few seeds.

Can you use any cucumber for pickling?

Pickling cucumbers are ideal because they are small and firm so they give that great pickle crunch. You can pickle any kind of cucumber, but because of the moisture content in slicing and English cucumbers, they will be more mushy but they will still taste great.

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.

How can I get more female flowers on cucumber?

If that is the case, and if you are willing to pollinate the cucumbers, you can do it yourself. Each morning collect pollen from the stamens in the center of the male flowers and then transfer that pollen to the stigma in the center of the female flowers. Use a small, soft bristled paint brush to do this.

Why do I only have female cucumber flowers?

Yes, there are cucumbers that only produce female flowers: These are gynoecious cucumbers. Yes, there are cucumbers that produce (seedless) fruit without being fertilized: These are parthenocarpic cucumbers. Yes, there are cucumbers that are both. If your cucumbers are not parthenocarpic you’ll want a pollinator.

Do I need to peel Armenian cucumber?

In my experience, Armenian cucumbers have never needed peeling or de-seeding, so you can add that to the list of their virtues. If all you have are regular cucumbers, you can still make this salad. Just peel them if they are bitter and de-seed them if the seeds are well-developed.

Why are my Armenian cucumbers bitter?

Cucumbers plants that are stressed during the growing season may produce fruit that is bitter flavored. Commonly a lack of water or temperatures too cold or too hot cause cucumbers to bear bitter tasting fruit. Cucumbers contain organic compounds called cucurbitacins that can cause fruit to taste bitter.

How do you keep cucumbers crisp when pickling?

5 Secrets for Crispy and Crunchy Pickles

1. Use small, firm cucumbers. This is, hands-down, the most important!
2. Jar them immediately after picking, or as soon as possible.
3. Soak cucumbers in an ice water bath for a couple hours.
4. Cut off the blossom end of cucumber.
5. Add tannins to the jar.