Cucumbers are often wrapped in plastic at supermarkets, but experts reveal it’s not for hygiene reasons
Cucumbers are a popular addition to numerous salads and sandwiches. When purchased from supermarkets, they typically come wrapped in plastic.
The plastic covering on cucumbers is commonly believed to be there for hygiene purposes. As many of us attempt to reduce our plastic consumption, I sought expert opinions on why cucumbers are sold in plastic and what its true function is.
Ann Cooper from Southampton-based bakery Wonderberrys, which uses cucumber in their afternoon tea sandwiches, explained: “People often assume the plastic wrap on cucumbers is just about cleanliness, but we’ve seen first-hand at Wonderberrys why it’s really there.
“While we mostly focus on cakes and sweet treats, our takeaway afternoon tea offerings rely heavily on fresh cucumber sandwiches. The wrap helps to retain optimum quality by stopping the cucumber from drying out.”
Content creator and Slow Cooker Meals founder Ryan Allen concurred that the plastic covering is primarily about preserving freshness. He elaborated: “Unlike regular field cucumbers, English cucumbers have thin, tender skin.”, reports the Mirror.
“Rapid dehydration no doubt comes from the fact that [it has] thin skin. With the plastic wrap, though, moisture loss is cut to almost nothing, and freshness is retained for up to a week.”
Ryan noted the plastic wrap can also help prevent cucumbers from bruising and even reduce food waste. He stated: “Thin-skinned cucumbers mark easily during transport.
“But the plastic, by serving as a thin protective barrier, still blocks much of the wear, keeping the products looking better, cleaner, newer on the shelf.”
He explained: “If wrapping keeps food from spoiling, then the net environmental impact can be lower than selling items unwrapped and throwing more away.”
Cucumbers wrapped in plastic do remain fresh for longer than their unwrapped counterparts. Consumer website Which? has reported that cucumbers in plastic maintain their freshness for approximately 14 days, compared with merely five when unwrapped.
Cucumbers ought to be stored in the fridge, preferably in the crisper drawer.
They require the plastic wrapping to preserve their moisture content and stop them from becoming dehydrated.
The plastic is understood to function as a secondary skin, preventing moisture loss.
Whilst on display in shops, the plastic covering helps shield the cucumber’s exterior from damage.