Cucumis Sativus, also known as cucumber is the heart of salad bowls all around the world. It is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, with China being the largest producer of cucumber, and Turkey and Iran not far behind. They are very high in nutrients, aid in weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and keep you hydrated, which is the most important thing to keep in mind in this scorching heat. 

BUYING

Before we jump right to cutting cucumbers, let us first go over all you need to know in order to pick the right cucumber from the market. Look for cucumbers with dark green, fresh looking smooth skin. A good cucumber must be firm and shouldn’t blend, so it's important to test this factor before purchasing the cucumber. When buying fruits and veggies, we tend to go for the larger ones, but the trick is to buy a relatively small cucumber since they have crispier and finer seeds. Avoid buying the ones with blemishes or yellow spots, as this suggests the cucumber is old.

STORING
Unfortunately, cucumbers start going bad very quickly specially in this hot weather, unless they are stored properly. Wrap cucumbers in a plastic bag and put them in the refrigerator, which will help maintain their freshness for about a week. Although, while storing them in the refrigerator it should be noted that the temperature is cool and not frozen. Ideally, keep your storage temperature around 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

SLICING
Step 1: Cut off both ends.

Step 2: Thinly slice the cucumber.