If you happen to be a fan of European cucumbers, which are commonly referred to as English, seedless, or hothouse cucumbers, then you probably noticed something peculiar about them.
As it turns out, their thin skin does not always benefit them. The Kitchn describes this as a major issue because the thin skin makes them more likely to be bruised or damaged while being transported to the store. They might also be more prone to spoilage. To keep the cucumbers safe, plastic wrap is used.Now that you understand the significance of plastic in transporting cucumbers from the hothouse to the grocery store, how can you use it when you bring the cucumber home?
Don’t remove the plastic too quickly because it can continue to protect the cucumber while it’s in your refrigerator. This is not only true for bumps and bruises, but it can also significantly extend the cucumber’s shelf life. In fact, you may discover that the cucumber is still edible after more than 10 days in the fridge.This is interesting to know, but it also raises some concerns, particularly regarding the environment.
Most people are well aware of the environmental hazards of plastic, and wrapping cucumbers cannot be good for the environment. That is why they are attempting to develop non-plastic methods of shrinkwrapping fruits and vegetables. Some companies have found ways to do so, but nothing has yet been able to match the benefits of plastic wrap.