Cucumbers can be enjoyed in many ways. Two of the most popular ways of enjoying cucumbers are sliced and pickled. However, some cucumber varieties are better suited for pickling or slicing because of their distinct features. So, how do you know if you should slice or pickle your cucumber?
Cucumbers can be enjoyed in many ways. Two of the most popular ways of enjoying cucumbers are sliced and pickled. However, some cucumber varieties are better suited for pickling or slicing because of their distinct features. So, how do you know if you should slice or pickle your cucumber?
Pickling and slicing cucumbers both have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for their intended purposes. The following table sums up their differences:
| Pickling Cucumbers | Slicing Cucumbers |
| Short and stout | Long and lean |
| Thick skin | Thin Skin |
| Dry, crisp skin and flesh | Moist, juicy skin and flesh |
| Bumpier skins | Smoother skins |
These characteristics are what determine if a cucumber is better for pickling or slicing. In this article, you’ll learn more about the differences between slicing and pickling cucumbers, the cucumber varieties that make up each type, and more.
What’s The Difference Between Pickling And Slicing Cucumbers?
Pickling cucumbers are mostly used in pickling and processing methods, and slicing cucumbers are usually eaten raw and are often used in salads. While all cucumbers can be used for both pickling and slicing, the following differences make each type more suitable for one or the other.
Length and Shape
Pickling cucumbers are usually 3 to 4 inches long when harvested. Although they feature a diameter of up to 1 inch, which is less than regular slicing cucumbers, pickling cucumbers often look short and stubby. Their size enables them to fit perfectly in medium-sized jars while whole.
When harvested, slicing cucumbers are normally 5 to 8 inches long. They can be one inch or more in diameter and are the bigger of the two cucumber types. They grow long and lean, but some people harvest them when small to use for pickling.
(Source: Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension)
Thickness And Smoothness Of Skin
The best cucumbers used in pickling usually have thick and bumpy skin. This helps them soak up the brine well to produce juicy pickles. However, slicing cucumbers have thin skins, which makes them easy to consume raw without peeling.
Hydration Levels
Pickling cucumbers have drier and firmer skin and interior flesh than their slicing counterparts. This makes them better able to form the juicy yet crispy pickling taste and texture and discourages you from eating them raw.
However, slicing cucumbers feature a juicy skin and flesh even when fresh, so they’re tastier when consumed raw. Their water levels are higher, so they have a soft, delicate texture that adds lots of flavor to salads.
(Sources: Mississippi State University Extension, South Dakota State University Extension, Healthy Canning)
Types Of Pickling Cucumbers
If you are looking for the best cucumbers to use for pickling or want to grow pickling varieties on your own, the following cucumbers are excellent for pickling:
National Pickling Cucumber
Considered one of the top pickling varieties made by the National Pickle Packer Association, the National Pickling Cucumber is a high yielding cucumber with quality that lasts longer than most. It can grow up to 6 inches, which is more than the typical pickling cucumber length. It also features dark green, mildly smooth skin with black spines and has a rectangular look.
Boston Pickling Cucumber
The Boston Pickling Cucumber is a seedless cucumber variety that originated in Boston. It grows the typical 3 to 4 inches of pickling cucumbers with a straight shape with full ends. When it is ready for harvest, it has a light green color with black spines and bumpy skin.
The Bush Pickle
The Bush pickle cucumber is usually 3 to 5 inches long when harvested. It has a dark green color with random bumps on its skin. While it’s best for pickling, its famous sweet taste makes it great for straight out of the garden eating, as well. Even better, it grows as a bush in a small space; therefore, you can grow it in a tiny garden or a container.
Types Of Slicing Cucumbers
Finding slicing cucumbers at the grocery store is somewhat easy since they’re widely available. However, unless you go to the farmers’ market, most slicing cucumber you will find are waxed to preserve their moisture.
Here are five popular slicing cucumber varieties:
Straight Eight
As its name suggests, the Straight Eight cucumber is straight and can grow up to 8 inches long. It has a tender skin and tiny seed cavity, which makes it visually appealing in salads. Its sweet, fine-textured flesh is great for eating fresh, too. You can spot a straight-eight cucumber by its dark green skin and rounded ends and its distinct long and lean look anywhere in the farmers’ market.
Diva
The Diva cucumber is famous for its glossy, light to dark green looking skin. You might think it’s waxed even in its natural state because of its natural shiny look. You’ll love its sweet, crisp texture and juicy flesh when you eat it since it’s a seedless variety. Although most Diva cucumbers are around 5 inches long, they can grow up to 8 inches in heavy yields.
English
Also known as the European cucumber, the English cucumber is long and slender with narrow ends. It can grow up to 15 inches long while maintaining its dark green skin color throughout its maturity. Furthermore, its skin is usually so thin you don’t need to peel it. The English cucumber is known for its super-sweet juicy flesh with very little seeds or none at all.
Green Finger
Famous for its light green smooth and thin skin, the Green Finger cucumber is one of the tastiest slicing cucumbers you’ll find. It’s usually 3 to 5 inches long and is sometimes referred to as a mini-cucumber. You can snack on it whole or slice it in salads and boost flavor with its exceptional taste.
Armenian
The Armenian cucumber has a distinct look you can never miss in a grocery store. It’s usually long (up to 15 inches), pale green, and curled at the end. Most varieties of the Armenian cucumber have a smooth texture with defined furrows down their length. When sliced, they give off a scent similar to that of a cantaloupe, revealing juicy flesh with some small but edible seeds.
(Sources: Colorado Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, Learn About Agriculture, The National Gardening Association)
Pickling vs. Slicing Cucumber FAQs
With all the pickling and slicing cucumber insights mentioned above, you might still have some nagging questions left unanswered. Here are some frequently asked questions about pickling and slicing cucumbers:
Can I Use Slicing Cucumbers To Make Pickles?
Yes, you can use slicing cucumbers to make pickles. However, you have to be careful to choose the best cucumbers for your pickles to turn out nearly as good as those specially grown for the purpose.
To produce tasty, crunchy pickles with slicing cucumbers, you must use the driest and firmest ones you can find. These are mostly ones that have a lighter green color with a dry look. Leave the big soft, juicy slicing cucumbers out of your jar because you’ll likely end up with mushy, unappealing pickles.
Can I Eat Pickling Cucumbers Raw And Make Salads?
Especially when fresh, pickling cucumbers can be tasty when eaten raw. Furthermore, you can make a delicious salad with them if they’re chilled. Removing their thick skin will help you get rid of the tough skin texture for a pleasant-tasting salad.
Why Are My Pickled Cucumbers Bitter?
First, you should know that your pickling process isn’t always the cause of the bitterness in your cucumbers. The bitter taste can also be caused by the presence of natural chemicals known as cucurbitacins in excessive amounts.
Since chemical and environmental factors cause the accumulation of cucurbitacins, both pickling and slicing cucumbers can taste bitter. Pickling with sugar can mask the taste, but it won’t entirely go away.
Conclusion
The differences between pickling and slicing cucumbers lie in their length, shape, moisture content, and skin. Pickling cucumbers have thicker, firmer, drier skins than their slicing counterparts to enable the production of tasty pickles, and slicing varieties are softer and juicier for an exquisite taste while raw. While you can use any cucumber in a salad or to make pickles, it is best to ensure that their characteristics are suitable for your needs