Types of Cucumbers: What are the most cultivated varieties?

Hello to all agrohuerters! In today’s article we will talk about the most cultivated types of cucumbers. We will see the most important varieties in Spain and some from other countries. In addition, we will learn the characteristics of each of them in order to differentiate them.

Characteristics of cucumbers

Before starting with the most cultivated types of cucumbers, I would like to start the article by making a brief introduction to this vegetable. Scientifically it is known by the name “ Cucumis sativus ” and it is an annual plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It comes from India and began to be cultivated more than 3000 years ago. They say that it was one of the favorite crops of the emperor Tiberius and to ensure its availability throughout the year, it began to be cultivated in structures similar to greenhouses.

On the other hand, those small cucumbers that are picked prematurely and that are sometimes subjected to a pickling process to improve their conservation are known by the name of » gherkins «.

Here is a photo of some cucumbers that we had to remove prematurely so that the plant could continue to grow upwards without devoting all its resources to the growth of these fruits. Once the plant reaches a considerable size we will let the cucumbers develop properly. For all these reasons, it is essential to properly trellise and prune cucumber plants.

In Spain, production is centered in the community of Andalusia, mainly in the provinces of Almería and Granada. Most of this crop is produced under greenhouses, although production is also carried out outdoors.

Now yes, yes… Let’s get to know each one of them!

Dutch or Almería type cucumber

We start with the Dutch-type cucumber or also called Almería cucumber. It stands out for being the most exported cucumber from Spain to other countries. Its size is around 25-30 cm. This cucumber withstands high temperatures well and its color is bright dark green. In addition, it is a very vigorous plant. The harvest extends from the beginning of November to the end of March.

We could say that the flavor of the Dutch-type or Almería-type cucumber is quite mild and digestive. Also, if you like a sweet taste like I do, I recommend trying it with a little honey.

Some of the varieties of Dutch or Almería type cucumbers: Chencho, Benito, Encina, Estrada, Mitre, Madroño, Belmonte, Gallito, Bombita, etc. Each of these varieties has different characteristics and production cycles.

Spanish Cucumber

The Spanish-type cucumber is characterized by not being a very long cucumber (between 10-15 cm), dark green in color and with very prickly fruits. For this reason, it is also known by the name «short black cucumber». In addition to its color and thorns, the Spanish cucumber is characterized by an intense flavor and aroma.

It is recommended to consume it in salads or simply with a little oil and salt.

Some commercial varieties of Spanish-type cucumber are: Neptune, Poseidon, Triton, Nemo, Urano, etc.

french cucumber

The French type cucumber is slightly larger than the Spanish type. It measures approximately between 15-20 cm. It has a dark green color and fewer spines than in the previous case. In this case the flavor is milder than the Spanish type cucumber.

If you are fans of Andalusian gazpacho, this type of French cucumber is the one that is usually used to make the recipe. However, it can also be eaten in salads or with oil and salt.

Depending on its sowing time, we will choose earlier or later varieties. For example: Renoir, Rodano, Arnaud, Ashley, Chimo, Centauro, Granada, Normando, etc.

Below you can see an image of French-type cucumbers in a greenhouse.

Other types of cultivated cucumbers

Apart from these varieties of cucumbers, we are also going to see other varieties from other countries or that have some special characteristic. Here we go!

Armenian cucumber or snake cucumber

The Armenian cucumber is also known by the name of snake cucumber because of its very particular shape. It is a very long cucumber that twists, reminding us of a snake. Its skin is striated and its interior is yellow.

english cucumber

The English cucumber is also known as the greenhouse cucumber or the European cucumber. It is characterized by having a fairly smooth skin compared to other cucumbers. In addition, it does not usually have seeds inside, so they are usually easier to digest. They tend to be more expensive due to their greenhouse cultivation.

japanese cucumber

Japanese cucumber, also called «kyuri cucumber» are small, dark cucumbers with small bumps on their thick skin. It has a sweet flavor and crunchy texture.

Here I leave you a photo of the Japanese cucumber so you can see how it is:

If after this article you want to grow your own cucumbers in the garden, do not miss the following article: How to grow cucumbers in the garden: everything you need to know.

And, finally, if you want to know more information about the main pests and diseases that can affect them, take a look at this other one: Cucumber pests and diseases: ecological treatments.

References

• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Felix Arteaga Eiriz and Rafael Albertos Pérez. Cucumber cultivation under plastic.
• OF THE CASTLE, JA; URIBARRI, A.; SATURDAY, S.; WATERED, G.; SANZ DE GALDEANO, J. (2004). Guide to greenhouse cultivation of ground cucumber. Agrarian Navarre.
• WATERED, G.; OF THE CASTLE, J.; URIBARRI, A.; SANZ DE GALDEANO, J.; ASTIZ, M; SATURDAY, S. (2008). Greenhouse cucumber. A crop on the rise. Agrarian Navarre.

This is all for today agrohuerters, I hope you liked the article about the types of cucumbers. You can tell us in the comments what types of cucumbers are grown in your countries or which are your favorites, surely there are many many different types.

See you in the next one! Have a nice day