But what is a cucumber? Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Well, it all depends on how you look at it, because cucumbers can be classified as both. According to the botanical classification, cucumbers are fruits because they have seeds and grow from the flower of the plant; but according to the culinary classification, they can also be considered vegetables because we can enjoy them raw or prepare certain dishes such as, for example, pickled cucumbers.

Types of Cucumber

As we have already mentioned in our blog, there are many varieties and types of cucumber with different characteristics and production cycles, but in our fruit and vegetable company we are specialists in the production and export of 3 very specific types:

• Almería Cucumber
• Mini Cucumber
• French Cucumber

While many agricultural warehouses stop selling Almeria cucumber during the spring, at Francisco Maleno García S.L we continue to pack and export this variety of cucumber to other countries around the world. All thanks to our growers, who bet on the Almeria cucumber harvest in their greenhouses during this season and allow us to continue marketing fresh cucumbers of the best quality.

Benefits of Cucumbers

In general, cucumber has numerous benefits, but with the arrival of good weather it is even more beneficial for our health. Especially in summer we must pay attention to our diet, and make it healthier so that our body can withstand the high temperatures.

Here are some of the benefits of cucumber:

• Helps combat stress

As this food contains vitamin B (B1, B5 and B7), it helps to relieve feelings of anxiety and stress. In addition, thanks to the fisetin they contain, they are also very good for brain health, protecting memory and nerve cells that can be affected by stressful situations.

• Improve your digestion

Cucumber, being 95% water, deeply hydrates your body and eliminates toxins from the outside. In addition, this water breaks down food and helps your body to better digest the vitamins you need from each of them.

• Protects the heart and prevents hypertension

Thanks to the potassium contained in this food, cucumber regulates blood pressure. In this way, it prevents hypertension in both those who do not suffer from it and those who are prone to it.

• Stimulates the immune system

Cucumber also contains vitamin C. A group of vitamins that help to strengthen the body's natural defences, making the body less weak and creating a barrier against illnesses that will help us to minimise the impact on our health and well-being.

How cucumbers are grown

The largest cucumber production takes place in Almeria, a province where we have 55% of the total cultivated area. In our greenhouses we take care of the cultivation of this foodstuff at different times of the year, depending on the type of cucumber.

For example, the Almeria type cucumber is mainly produced between October and December, but many of our growers also grow them in spring, which allows us to continue offering new, quality cucumbers to our national and international clients.

In order for cucumber production to be optimal, the following circumstances must be met:

Temperature: Although both belong to the cucurbit family, cucumber is a less heat-demanding crop than melon.

In the case of cucumber, the ideal daytime temperature is around 25ºC and the closer it is to this temperature, the higher the early production will be.

Higher daytime temperatures or too low temperatures during the night can cause damage to the plant and affect the production and development of the crop.

The use of double roofs in greenhouses allows the temperature to be increased and maintained appropriately during the day and at night, thus helping the cucumber to produce optimally.

Wetness: Cucumbers are very moisture demanding crops due to their leaf area (between 60/70% during the day and between 70/90% during the night).

An excessive amount of humidity during the day, an atmosphere saturated with water vapour or too low relative humidity are factors that can cause serious damage to the plantation, reducing its production and favouring the development of pests or diseases.

Brightness: The cucumber plant is capable of growing, flowering and bearing fruit even on days with less than 12 hours of light, but it also withstands a greater amount of solar radiation. In fact, a higher light intensity will positively influence the production process.

Soil: One of the most important points in cucumber cultivation is the salinity of the soil, as the cucumber plant reaches its optimum state with an average level of salt concentration. If the salinity is too high or too low, the plantation will be affected.

On the other hand, it can be cultivated in any type of soil that has a good drainage and a sufficient amount of organic matter (compost) that helps its correct development.

Now that you know a little more about cucumbers and their cultivation, don't forget to contact us to offer your customers the best fresh and quality cucumbers throughout the season.

At Francisco Maleno García S.L we work with the best professionals in the sector to always offer you fruit and vegetables at the forefront of the fruit and vegetable sector.