Огірок

Cucumber is classified botanically as a pepo, a type of botanical berry with seeds and an outer rind. In a culinary context, it is considered a vegetable. The cucumber originates in Asia, in a region extending from India, Nepal and Bangladesh to the Chinese regions of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi, and Northern Thailand. Cucumbers have been cultivated for at least 3,000 years.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

Origin and Production

Cucumis sativus was domesticated in India from the wild C. sativus var. hardwickii. World production is led by China with over three quarters of the total. There are three main types: slicing, pickling and seedless. The cucumber is an annual creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames. The fruit of typical cultivars is roughly cylindrical, elongated with tapered ends, and may be as large as 62 centimeters (24 in) long and 10 centimeters (4 in) in diameter. Most cucumber cultivars are seeded and require pollination. Thousands of honey beehives are carried to cucumber fields each year just before bloom.

Chemistry

The compound trans,cis-2,6-nonadienal is classified as a doubly unsaturated derivative of nonanal. Its molecule consists of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with an isolated alkene group. It is also named (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, violet leaf aldehyde and cucumber aldehyde. Its CAS number is 557-48-2. Unsaturated aldehydes such as (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, together with the cis- and trans- isomers of 2-nonenal, contribute in part to the mild melon aroma of some cucumbers. 2-Nonenal, a structurally related compound, has the aroma of cucumber. 6-Nonenal, also structurally related, has the aroma of cantaloupe. The slightly bitter taste of cucumber rind results from cucurbitacins. Isotopic labeling has indicated that nonadienal is formed from α-linolenic acid. Such reactions are typically catalyzed by hydroperoxide lyases.

Gherkins and Pickling

Gherkins are small cucumbers, typically 2.5 to 12.5 centimetres (1 to 5 in) long, often with bumpy skin, and are typically used for pickling. The word gherkin comes from the early modern Dutch gurken or augurken, 'small pickled cucumber'. Cucumis anguria, the West Indian gherkin, is a closely related species. Brined pickles are prepared by the traditional process of natural fermentation in brine, which makes them sour.

History

The Roman Emperor Tiberius ate cucumbers all year round. Charlemagne had cucumbers grown in his gardens in the 8th/9th century. Cucumbers were reportedly introduced into England in the early 14th century, lost, then reintroduced approximately 250 years later. The Spaniards brought cucumbers to Haiti in 1494. In 1535, a French explorer found "very great cucumbers" grown on the site of what is now Montreal.