Cucumber

Storage: Keep unwashed cucumbers in the refrigerator crisper. Unwaxed cucumbers should be checked daily for spoilage. Wrap cut cucumbers tightly in plastic wrap and use within a day or two.

Preparation: Peel and remove the seeds, if you prefer, but there’s no harm in leaving both!

Taste: Crisp, a touch bitter, fresh

Nutritional Benefits: The flesh of the cucumber is mostly water, but also contains ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid, both of which help soothe skin irritations and reduce swelling–these acids prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. Cucumbers are a great treat for the skin. They have the same pH as the skin so they help restore the protective acid mantle–they also possess hydrating, nourishing and astringent properties. The skin of a cucumber is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium and magnesium.