Quick Answer
There are pros and cons to removing seeds from cucumbers. The main reasons to remove seeds are to reduce bitterness, avoid a watery texture, or make seeded cucumber varieties easier to eat. However, removing seeds can be time consuming and you lose some nutritional value. Most experts say removing seeds is optional for regular slicing cucumbers, but recommended for seedless and burpless varieties.
Do you have to remove cucumber seeds?
No, you don’t have to remove cucumber seeds. Many people eat regular slicing cucumbers without removing the seeds. The small, soft seeds are edible and contain beneficial nutrients like vitamin K, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. However, some people prefer removing the seeds because they can contribute to a slightly bitter taste and watery texture.
When should you remove cucumber seeds?
Here are some situations when it’s recommended to remove cucumber seeds:
– You are using a burpless/seedless cucumber variety – These are bred to have very small, almost unnoticeable seeds that are difficult to digest. Removing makes them easier to eat.
– You want to reduce bitterness – Cucumber skins contain cucurbitacins that cause bitterness. Cutting around seeds helps remove some of this compound.
– You want firmer texture – The jelly-like insides with seeds are responsible for making watery cucumbers. Removing gives cucumber flesh a crisper, crunchier texture.
– You are making cucumber salad or sandwiches – Small seeds can fall out and make foods messy or difficult to eat. Seedless slices are cleaner and won’t get stuck in teeth.
– You are juicing cucumbers – Seeds can clog up juicers. Removing prevents equipment damage and a gritty texture.
Pros of removing cucumber seeds
Here are some benefits of taking the time to remove cucumber seeds:
– Less bitter taste – Removes some of the cucurbitacins and phenols concentrated around the seeds. Results in milder, more pleasant flavor.
– Firmer, crisper texture – Without the jelly and seeds, cucumber flesh stays solid and crunchy even after sitting. Better for recipes that need sturdiness.
– No seedy texture – Small seeds can create an unpleasant slimy, crunchy, or grainy texture when you bite into them. Seedless is smooth.
– Easier to digest – The indigestible seeds and mucilaginous gel can cause gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort in some people prone to these issues.
– More visually appealing – Uniform, seedless cucumber slices look nicer for certain served dishes and garnishes. Seeds can look messier.
– Better juicing results – No seeds to potentially clog equipment and create a gritty, pulpy juice texture.
Cons of removing cucumber seeds
Removing cucumber seeds does have some disadvantages as well:
– More prep work – It takes extra time and labor to carefully slice around and scoop out all the seeds. Not ideal for quick meals or big batches.
– Less nutritional value – Seeds supply dietary fiber, vitamin K, magnesium and other beneficial nutrients. You lose some of this when they’re removed.
– Potential waste – Scooping and discarding the seed-rich centers means throwing away part of the cucumber. Not very efficient.
– Can’t eat skin – Slicing off the skin to access the seeds also means losing its nutrients. And many people enjoy eating the thin, tender peels.
– Alters moisture content – The seeds and surrounding gel hold a lot of a cucumber’s internal moisture. This is lost when they’re removed, creating a drier texture.
– Not needed for regular cucumbers – Typical slicing cucumber seeds are small, soft, and unobtrusive. Removing provides little benefit if enjoy eating seeds.
– More work for seedless varieties – Special tools may be needed to remove tiny non-digestible seeds from burpless/seedless cucumbers.
How to remove cucumber seeds
If you do want to remove cucumber seeds, here are some simple methods:
– Halve lengthwise – Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Then take a spoon and run it down the cut side, scooping out the seeds and inside pulp.
– Quarter lengthwise – For thinner, easier to work with pieces, quarter cucumbers lengthwise instead of halving them.
– Slice cross-sections – Cut rounds or ovals working from one end to the other. Pick out seeds with knife tip or melon baller.
– Use a fork – Hold the tines against the cut side of a halved cucumber and scrape out seeds.
– Special tools – Utensils like melon ballers, cherry pitters, and avocado slicers help swiftly remove cucumber cores.
Be sure to rinse out seed cavities after scraping since some residue may remain. Pat dry before using seedless cucumber pieces in recipes.
Cucumber varieties and seeds
There are a few main types of cucumbers to note in regards to seeds:
Slicing Cucumbers – Most common smooth-skinned garden variety. Oblong shape with small edible seeds evenly distributed within crisp, watery flesh. Seeds can be left in or removed.
Pickling Cucumbers – Smaller, bumpy-skinned oval fruits. Also have soft edible seeds in juicy flesh. Used for pickles but fine to eat fresh.
English/Hot House Cucumbers – Long, narrow, nearly seedless variety grown in greenhouses. Mild flavor and tender skin. Very few seeds to remove.
Persian Cucumbers – Small, squat-shaped Middle Eastern type with few soft seeds clustered near ends. Unobtrusive edible seeds.
Beit Alpha Cucumbers – Sweet thin-skinned Israeli variety. Small seeds concentrated at blossom end. Rest of flesh is nearly seedless.
Burpless/Seedless Cucumbers – Specialty varieties with tiny undeveloped seeds. Need to remove bitter seeds and mucilaginous texture.
Nutrition of cucumber seeds
Cucumber seeds may be small, but they do contain some beneficial nutrients including:
– Dietary fiber – Seeds help provide insoluble fiber for healthy digestion and maintaining regularity. Around 1.5 grams of fiber per cup of sliced cucumber with seeds.
– Vitamin K – Important for blood clotting. Seeds supply around 17% of the Recommended Daily Amount (RDA) per cup of cucumber.
– Vitamin C – Seeds and the surrounding gel contain vitamin C for immune health and collagen production. About 3.5 mg per cup.
– Potassium – Needed for nerves, muscles, heart, and fluid balance. Cucumber seeds provide 147 mg potassium per cup.
– Magnesium – Seeds supply 7% RDA magnesium per cup, which aids bone strength, sleep, and muscle function.
– Antioxidants – Cucumber seeds contain lignans and other polyphenol antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation.
– Phytosterols – Plant compounds in seeds may help lower LDL cholesterol levels in the body.
So while cucumber seeds are perfectly edible, you do lose out on some nutritional benefits if you remove them.
Cucumber seed recipes
While most people discard cucumber seeds, they can actually be used creatively in certain recipes:
– Pickled cucumber seeds – Pickle seeds in vinegar and spices for a tangy, crunchy topping or garnish.
– Roasted cucumber seeds – Roast rinsed seeds with oil and spices for a healthy snack.
– Seed crackers – Blend seeds into cracker dough for added nutrition and crunch.
– Seed pesto – Process seeds into a zesty spread or sauce.
– Seeded hummus – Blend seeds into hummus for flavor and texture.
– Salads and bowls – Garnish dishes with fresh or pickled cucumber seeds.
– Juices and smoothies – Add cucumber seeds to thicken and enrich blended drinks.
– Seed butter – Puree large amounts of seeds into creamy seed butter.
So while not common, the seeds can provide creative ways to reduce waste and add interest to recipes.
Should you peel cucumbers?
Cucumber skins are entirely edible and contain beneficial nutrients like fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, flavonoids, and cucurbitacins. Peeling is optional. Reasons you may want to peel cucumbers include:
– Removing bitterness – Most of the cucurbitacin compounds that can taste bitter are concentrated in the skins.
– Improving texture – Older cucumbers may develop tough, rubbery skin that can be unpalatable. Peeling helps soften.
– Reducing pesticides – For non-organic cucumbers, peeling may help remove some pesticide residues.
– Making uniform slices – Removing uneven skin allows for pretty, smooth cucumber slices.
– Skin sensitivity – Some people may have sensitivities or reactions to compounds in the skins.
– Aesthetic appeal – The look of peeled, pure green cucumber flesh may be more visually appealing for certain dishes.
If you do peel, use a standard vegetable peeler, take off stripes lengthwise, and try to minimize flesh removal. Leaving some strips of skin intact helps retain nutrients and visual appeal.
Conclusion
Removing cucumber seeds is ultimately a personal choice based on texture and taste preferences. For regular slicing cucumbers, the small seeds are harmless to eat and provide some nutritional value. However, extracting seeds is recommended for burpless varieties with undeveloped seeds, and can yield benefits like reduced bitterness, firmer flesh, and easier digestibility for some. Seeds can be left in or taken out depending on the recipe and desired flavor profile. Just be aware that peeling and seeding does result in some waste. If you’re short on time or want to maximize nutrition, leaving the skins and seeds intact is fine. But the seedless, peeled English cucumber aesthetic can be achieved with some extra knife work.
| Reasons to Remove Seeds | Reasons to Leave Seeds In |
|---|---|
| – Less bitter taste | – Retains nutrition |
| – Firmer texture | – Natural appearance |
| – No unpleasant seediness | – Less prep work |
| – Easier to digest | – Less waste |
| – Visually appealing | – Fine for regular cucumbers |
| – Smoother juice texture | – Needed to use skins |
References
[1] Ketchum, Cheri. “Cucumber Seeds: Chew or Pitch?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/features/cucumber-seeds-chew-or-pitch#1.
[2] Robinson, Jo. “Are Cucumber Seeds Digestible?” SF Gate, http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/cucumber-seeds-digestible-3596.html.
[3] “Basic Report: 11529, Cucumbers, with peel, raw.” USDA FoodData Central, https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169988/nutrients.
[4] “Cucumber, with peel, raw Nutrition Facts & Calories.” SELFNutritionData, https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2439/2.
[5] Endo, Ellen. “Don’t Toss Those Cucumber Seeds Just Yet – Here’s How You Can Use Them.” TheKitchn, www.thekitchn.com/dont-toss-those-cucumber-seeds-23096020.
[6] Jamieson, Alex. “Which Cucumber Variety Should I Buy?” Kitchn, www.thekitchn.com/which-cucumber-variety-22943865
