Cucumbers can last up to three weeks longer without turning slimy if they are stored with a simple kitchen item: a paper towel. This storage method prevents the excess moisture that causes cucumbers to spoil quickly.
Why cucumbers spoil quickly
In the UK, most supermarkets wrap cucumbers in plastic to protect them during transport. However, plastic traps moisture, and in a humid fridge, this leads to condensation around the cucumber. This excess moisture makes cucumbers vulnerable to bacteria, mould, and rotting, resulting in a mushy vegetable.
Amy Cross, founder of The Cross Legacy and a cook known for her food storage techniques, shared that cucumbers can be kept fresh by removing the plastic and using a paper towel instead.
The paper towel method
Amy said: “Place [cucumbers] in a glass container with a clean paper towel at the bottom. They will stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks.”
Cucumbers contain a lot of water, and after harvest, this moisture moves to the surface and leaks out. In plastic packaging, the water cannot evaporate and sits on the skin, causing sogginess and encouraging mould and bacteria growth. Paper towels absorb the excess moisture, keeping the cucumbers dry and fresh for weeks.
Proper storage steps
To store cucumbers properly, first wash them in a bowl of cool water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar. White vinegar is mildly antibacterial and kills mould spores and pathogens on the cucumbers. Let them sit for two minutes, then dry them completely on a tea towel.
Place the cucumbers in a glass container with a paper towel at the bottom, and put it in the crisper drawer of the fridge. If the paper towel becomes damp, replace it. This method keeps cucumbers crisp for weeks, allowing for refreshing salads and sandwiches throughout the summer.
