Why Some Fresh Cucumbers Need To Be Burped Before You Eat Them

A few slices of cucumber can make the perfect snack or side with a meal. However, sometimes after eating a cucumber, you might get a bubbly feeling in your stomach. This is often referred to as the "cucumber burps," and it is more common than you think. What causes cucumber burps is no mystery, either. The burps are due to a naturally occurring compound present in cucumbers known as cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacin has a very unique bitter taste and is toxic in large quantities. It is what stirs up the digestive system, causing gas production and, in some people, digestive discomfort.

Not all the varieties of cucumber cause burping, though. In fact, the best varieties of cucumber to grow in your home garden are modern cultivars that have far lower levels of cucurbitacin. Even so, the compound is still there, and its levels vary between varieties. Furthermore, plants growing under stressful conditions produce more cucurbitacin. Don't worry, though. You don't have to give up on cucumbers just yet. You can still enjoy those cucumber slices without worrying about the unpleasant aftermath. That is where "burping" a cucumber can help. It is a simple method and one that is used all over the world.

Plants use cucurbitacin as a defense mechanism to repel bugs naturally and deter hungry herbivores. This compound is present in higher concentrations near the stem end of the fruit and under the skin. After the stem, the highest concentration of cucurbitacin is present in the skin, so you will often see people insisting on performing a "burping the cucumber" ritual. Burping a cucumber involves cutting off the stem end of the cucumber fruit, peeling the skin, and rubbing the cut pieces together. 

You have to do it for about 30 to 40 seconds or until you see a white foamy substance appear at the edges. Keep rubbing in a circular motion until that foam stops coming out. How does it work? Well, rubbing the cut pieces together creates kind of a capillary action, the same thing that causes the maple syrup to flow from a tapped tree on its own, drawing out the cucurbitacin. 

If you grow cucumbers at home and want them burp-free, you may have to adjust the growing conditions. Environmental stressors such as heat, low soil moisture, and poor nutrition are often the main culprits that increase the concentration of cucurbitacin in cucumbers. So, you need to make sure that your cucumber plants get plenty of water and are planted in a spot with moderate temperatures. You should aim for a temperature range of about 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 1 to 1 ½ inches of water each week. 

You can also try adding mulch to your garden, especially around the base of your plants. It will lock the moisture in the soil and keep the roots cool during hot days. Also, try picking a spot to grow cucumbers that gets full morning sun but is shielded from intense afternoon rays. Together, these measures will reduce stress on your cucumber plants and result in less cucurbitacin.

If you want to avoid the burping issue altogether, go with a burpless variety. Gardeners and plant breeders over the years have developed burpless cucumbers, which naturally contain very low levels of cucurbitacin. Some examples include 'Sweet Slice,' 'Sweet Success,' and 'Diva.'