Cucumbers
I love using refreshing cucumbers in salads, quick pickles, sandwiches, and more, and I usually buy whatever looks good or is less expensive at the farmers market or grocery store.
I know I like English cucumbers and Persian cucumbers because of their thin skin, tiny seeds, juiciness, and sweet flavor, and I have noticed that a lot of recipes call for one or the other. But other than the fact that English cucumbers tend to be long, while the Persian ones are usually petite, what else makes them different?
The Difference Between English and Persian Cucumbers
“English and Persian cucumbers both belong to the same species—Cucumis Sativus—and exhibit striking similarities while showcasing a few key distinctions,” Bower says.
English cucumbers tend to be larger, averaging around 12 inches in length, while their Persian counterparts are smaller, typically measuring about six inches. Both varieties share a mild, slightly sweet taste, enhanced by their high-water content that imparts a refreshing mouthfeel and a characteristic crisp bite.”
English cucumbers are thinner and boast tiny, immature seeds that are virtually imperceptible, hence earning the term ‘seedless’,” Bower explains. “Persian cucumbers take it a step further with even fewer seeds, rendering both options exceptionally convenient and easy to digest.”
What Are the Best Uses for English Cucumbers vs. Persian Cucumbers?
Because of their shorter length, Persian cucumbers are great for dipping and snacking,
English or Persian Cucumbers
The one time it’s inconvenient to substitute English for Persian cucumbers is when you just need a little cucumber. For example, I prefer to keep Persian cucumbers on hand for my lunchtime salads since I’m usually only making one portion and I can use up a whole cucumber in one go.
How to keep Persian Cucumbers to last long.
Persian and English cucumbers are two excellent varieties of cucumbers. They both have small seeds and thin skin, so they don’t need to be peeled. English cucumbers are much wider and longer than Persian cucumbers, but they both have a mild, sweet, and delicious flavor, so feel free to substitute them for each other in any recipe.