Cucumbers are fresh, healthy, and a welcome addition to almost any dish. But are cucumber fruits or vegetables? Today we take on this question, one of the most commonly asked about cucumbers!
Are cucumber fruits?
Yes, cucumbers are fruits. If this comes as a surprise, check our previous post: What is the difference between fruits and vegetables?
In short, cucumber are fruits because a) they grow from a flower and b) they contain seeds.
And yes, you read that right: cucumbers grow from flowers. Cucumber flowers are yellow and quite pretty in our opinion—they deserve to be more widely known!
Interesting fact: the cucumber plant has both male and female flowers. The male flowers provide the pollen for the female flowers, which in turn produce the actual cucumber.
With this being said, cucumbers are often regarded as vegetables in a culinary sense. This means that you wouldn’t be exactly wrong to call them vegetables in casual conversation, so long as you keep in mind that cucumbers are fruits from a strictly botanic point of view.
The Health Benefits of Cucumbers
Botanical distinctions aside, cucumbers are a great choice as part of a nutritious meal.
For example, 52 grams of sliced cucumber provide 8.5 mcg (equal to 11% of the recommended daily value, DV) of vitamin K, a nutrient essential to blood coagulation and for controlling binding of calcium in bones.
Additionally, cucumber also contains antioxidants, compounds that help block the effect of free radicals, which have been linked to aging and a wide range of ailments.
The best part is that cucumbers are low in calories and fat. Plus, they are easy to incorporate into your diet: just slice them and enjoy them with your favorite salad!
Hungry for Interesting Food Facts?
At Chef Gourmet, we know good food, and we love sharing that knowledge with you. If we have whetted your appetite for interesting food facts, here are some previous posts you may find interesting:
- Are tacos healthy?
- Turkey vs. chicken: which one is best for you?
- How to make marinara sauce: 3 delicious tips
- How chicken became a global food
- Why is it important to eat vegetables?
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