Question

What makes homegrown cucumbers bitter?

Answer 1

Not all homegrown cucumbers are bitter but sometimes homegrown cucumbers can become bitter as a result of lack of water or temperatures that are too cold or too hot.

When growing cucumbers at home you should make sure the cucumbers have enough water so if you do not get enough rain water you need to water your cucumbers more often.

Still sometimes you can have bitter cucumbers even when you grow the garden properly and care for it.

Bitter cucumbers are still safe to eat although they just don't taste as good and sometimes rubbing the end of the cucumber can remove the bitterness.

Answer 2

Bitter cucumbers are safe to eat.

The actual cause of bitterness in cucumbers and other gourds, like zucchini, is due to a compound known as cucurbitacin.

This compound is always present in cucumbers, but the levels change based on the growing process of the vegetables.

The higher the level of cucurbitacin, the more bitter the cucumber.

Nothing is harmful about eating bitter cucumbers although you may not enjoy them.