Cucumbers account for over 1.5 percent of retail produce sales. In addition to being a perfect crunchy addition to a salad, a cucumber’s skin contains fiber, which aids in digestion. The cucumber’s flesh contains some vitamin C, a cancer-fighting antioxidant. Cucumbers also contain silica, which helps create healthy skin.

Handling

• Temperature: 45 to 50 F, 7 to 10 C
• Relative humidity: 90-95%
• Typical shelf life: 10 to 14 days
• Ethylene-sensitive. Do not store or transport with commodities that produce ethylene.
• Susceptible to chilling injury.

Nutrition

Cucumbers are:

• Fat-free
• Saturated fat-free
• Sodium-free
• Cholesterol-free
• Low in calories