We all know the health benefits of cucumber. They help to cool the inflammatory response in our body, thereby reducing unwanted inflammation. Lately it is also said that it helps lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. However, there are times when you end up choosing that one piece of cucumber that would be too bitter to gulp. That’s when you decide never to eat it again.
The reason behind the bitterness is apparently an organic compound called cucurbitacin, which tends to concentrate in the leaves, stems, and roots. And it can travel to the fruit itself, but is more likely to be found at the stem end. It rarely moves towards the center of the fruit. Various studies suggest that lack of water or excessive heat can cause cucumbers to produce more bitterness. Thus it is often said that peeling cucumbers of their dark green skin can help in removing the bitterness as that's where cucurbitacin is most likely to gather. However, we also know that most of the nutrients in cucumbers are concentrated in the skin and seeds. It is thus considered not a very healthy way of removing bitterness. So how else can we get rid of the bitterness, without losing essential nutrients? We have an easy grandma's way of removing bitterness from cucumbers.
First, wash your cucumbers thoroughly.
Then cut a small piece off from both the stem and blossom ends. Ensure the piece no larger than about half an inch.
Next, place the cut piece back on the cucumber and start rubbing the flat ends together.
Pretty soon, a white foamy substance will appear. Keep doing this for a minute or two until the cucumber stops producing fresh foam.
Then repeat on the other end. Rinse it off, and the cucumber is ready to eat.
http://www.epaperindia.in/2016/11/trick-take-bitterness-cucumbers/
#Bitterness, #Cucumber, #Cut, #Peal, #Piece
No comments:
Post a Comment