Cucumber Varieties: 12 Different Types of Cucumber

Also known as a cuke, a cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a type of gourd that fruits green, cylindrical produce as it grows on a vine atop the ground. In terms of consumption, cucumbers fall into two main groups: slicing and pickling cucumbers. While you can serve slicing cucumbers fresh, you can soak pickling cucumbers in water and seasonings to make pickles. Seedless varieties of cucumbers are usually sweeter than their seeded counterparts.

Cucumber plants are classified by their growing habits. For example, vining cucumbers need to grow on a trellis to control the sprawling vines, while bush cucumbers grow on compact vines, making them ideal for containers. Many cucumber plants, such as ‘Diva,’ are resistant to powdery mildew, angular leaf spot, and downy mildew, making them a durable addition to vegetable gardens.

Cucumbers are a nutritious, low-calorie snack that offers key health benefits, including:

1. 1. Supports hydration: Cucumbers are ninety-five percent water and can provide supplemental hydration. While you can get your daily water intake by hydrating with fluids, you can also supplement this by eating foods high in water, such as cucumbers.
2. 2. Good source of phytonutrients: Cucumbers are a great source of flavonoids, plant compounds with antioxidant effects. Antioxidants combat the harmful effects of free radicals in the body, potentially reducing the risk of autoimmune, cardiovascular, and lung diseases.
3. 3. Rich in vitamins: Cucumbers are rich in vitamin K and vitamin C, which support overall immune health. They’re also a great source of magnesium and potassium, which aid muscle function. Eating raw, unpeeled cucumbers offers additional nutrients, as the peel contains fiber and healthy minerals.

Cucumber varieties have a range of different textures, sizes, and flavors. Learn about the best cucumbers for fresh eating and cooking:

1. 1. Armenian: Also known as snake cucumbers, Armenian cucumbers curve inward at the ends, forming a C-like shape. These cucumbers are lighter in color, typically light green or yellow, when picked. Armenian cucumbers are a popular addition to yogurt-based dips and spreads.
2. 2. Burpless: The Burpless variety is seedless with thin skin. These cucumbers have low levels of cucurbitacin, a biochemical that gives fruit and vegetables their bitter taste. Thus, Burpless cucumbers have a slightly sweet flavor, making them a perfect fresh snack.
3. 3. Bush Champion: The Bush Champion cucumber produces long, green fruits, about one foot in length. Grow Bush varieties in your backyard, and in two months, you’ll have fresh cucumbers to serve and enjoy.
   
4. 4. Crystal Apple White Spine: Crystal Apple White Spine cucumbers are pale white and round with thin outer skins and a softer texture than most other cucumbers. With consistent watering, these cucumber plants can produce high yields for home gardeners in warmer climates.
5. 5. English: English cucumbers are long and thick, and you can find them at grocery stores year-round. Producers typically grow this variety in a greenhouse. These seedless, slicer cucumbers have a sweet taste, making them a great addition to salads and spreads.
6. 6. Japanese: Japanese cucumbers, known as “kyuri” in Japan, are long and slender with thin, dark green skin and small undeveloped seeds. Chefs often marinate this variety, which has a mild, melon-like flavor, in rice vinegar to serve as a savory snack.
7. 7. Kirby: Kirby cucumbers are short and thick with bumpy skin. These cucumbers have a crisp texture compared to other types and are common in pickling recipes.
8. 8. Lemon: Lemon cucumbers are round and about the size of a tennis ball. These cucumbers have a bright yellow outer skin, similar to their namesake fruit. These heirloom cucumbers are a great snack for one or two people.
9. 9. Muncher: Muncher cucumbers are open-pollinated, seedless cultivars that prefer full sun. This seedless cucumber has a smooth, shiny outer skin and are seven inches long and three inches wide at maturity.
   
10. 10. National Pickling: National Pickling cucumbers are resistant to scab and cucumber mosaic virus, making them a low-maintenance veggie to grow in your backyard. This short, thick fruit with a crunchy texture is perfect for salads and pickles.
    
11. 11. Persian: Persian cucumbers have thin, easy-to-peel skin and contain edible cucumber seeds. They have a crispy, mild flavor and are less watery than Japanese cucumbers.
12. 12. Spacemaster: Spacemaster cucumbers are ideal for growing in small backyard gardens, as they have a compact growing habit. This cucumber plant is also resistant to the cucumber mosaic virus and typically grows about eight inches in length.

Cucumbers offer a cool, refreshing taste to a variety of dishes, including spreads and salads. Serve one of these cucumber appetizers and side dishes at your next gathering:

1. 1. Cucumber-yogurt raita: Raita is a condiment and side dish from the Indian subcontinent, made with plain yogurt (dahi), spices, and various vegetables—usually cucumber. Cool yogurt gets a refreshing lift from fresh lemon juice; cucumbers bring a hydrating relief to the palate. In South Indian cuisine, the yogurt sauce is known as pachadi.
2. 2. Cucumber salad: A smacked cucumber salad features fresh cucumbers that you tap with a knife; This process breaks down cucumbers’ texture so they can better absorb flavors, particularly salt. There are several variations on cucumber salad: In Eastern Europe, a cucumber salad may include fresh dill and sour cream, while rice vinegar and sesame oil dress the salad in Asia.
3. 3. Cucumber sandwich: Cucumber sandwiches are finger sandwiches made with thin cucumber slices, moist white bread, and butter. Traditionally served with British afternoon tea, these delicate little tea sandwiches should be thin, crustless, and moist, but there are a few different ways to customize them. Common cucumber sandwich additions include a mayonnaise spread, compound butter, or herbed cream cheese.
4. 4. Sunomono: Sunomono is a Japanese salad with rice vinegar or lemon-based dressing, typically served in small bowls as a side dish or appetizer. You can make sunomono with any vegetable; however, one of the easiest and most popular varieties of sunomono uses Japanese cucumbers.
5. 5. Mast-o khiar: Mast-o khiar is a Persian cucumber-yogurt dip flavored with dried mint. Common additions include toasted nuts, like walnuts or almonds, and dried fruit, like raisins or dried cranberries. Like other yogurt dips, you can serve mast-o khiar as part of a traditional mezze, an appetizer with slices of flatbread, a condiment for grilled meats, like a shish kebab, or a sauce atop rice and lentil-based dishes, like adas-polo, or herb stews, like ghormeh sabzi.

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