Cucumbers have a long and wide history that dates back to 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia. They were introduced to ancient Egypt for their hydrating benefits. They later were explored in Greece, Rome and China and have become a staple within their cuisine. America was introduced to cucumbers with the arrival of European settlers and became incorporated in many Latin American dishes. Many variations of cucumbers have been founded with the most common being English, pickling, Lebanese, and Japanese.

Storage Tips:

When looking at the grocery store, look for dark green cucumbers without yellow spots. They should be firm, avoiding any that are limp to lessen chance of them being older or bitter.

Enjoy them whole, sliced or pickled.

If sliced, place in airtight container with a paper towel in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Nutrition:

• Cucumbers are 95% water making them a great choice for hydration in the summer.
• The fiber within cucumbers can aid digestion and gut health.
• One cup of cucumber contains 22% of your daily vitamin K, which promotes bone health.
• This delicious snack also contains Vitamins B, C, folic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. 

Fun Facts: 

• Boyceville, Wisconsin holds a cucumber festival every summer which is known for its pickles.
• The term “cool as a cucumber” comes from its ability to cool the blood and reduce swelling.

Asian cucumber salad!