Seedless and Thin-skinned Cucumbers

About Thin-skinned Cucumbers

The group of cucumber varieties loosely categorized as thin-skinned include the following subtypes. Their fruits are predominantly seedless or their seed is diminished in number and size.

• Dutch/European

  These approximately 14"-long, thin, spineless cucumbers are usually grown in a greenhouse setting. Like snacking cucumbers, their thin skin contributes to excellent eating quality but also causes quick dehydration. They are often found in supermarkets shrink-wrapped in plastic. A well-bred European type should have few seeds, and the seeds they do have will be very small in size.

• Beit Alpha

  Smaller than the European varieties, Beit Alpha cucumbers average about 5–8" in length. Their mild flavor and size make them an excellent choice for snacking cucumbers. Like the European cucumbers, they are thin-skinned and need to be protected from cucumber beetles and dehydration. For field production, be sure to select Beit Alpha varieties that have been specifically bred to endure outdoor conditions; their skin will be slightly thicker than the standard greenhouse varieties.

• Asian

  These varieties are spiny, slender, and long—some up to 12” in length. They require trellising to keep their fruits long and straight. Their skin is generally thinner and less bitter than that of American slicers, but thick enough to discourage cucumber beetles and slow dehydration. Their flavor, crisp texture, and diminished seeds make them a desirable choice for gourmet markets.

Cocktail Cucumbers

Usually picked at 3–4” in length, cocktail cucumber varieties are regarded as some of the best for their flavor and crunchy texture. Their small size, thin skins, and lack of spines make them favorable for fresh eating as snacks. They are usually sold in bags or clamshells to prevent them from quickly dehydrating. Cocktail cucumber varieties are usually grown in the greenhouse in order to protect their thin skins.

A Note About Bitterness & Burplessness

When Asian cucumbers were first introduced in the United States, they were marketed as being “burpless.” We generally avoid using this term in our variety descriptions because many other so-called burpless varieties have been introduced since then and because “burplessness” is a relative quality. Research suggests that the bitter compounds found in all cucurbits known as cucurbitacins may be the cause of indigestion in some individuals but also confer certain health benefits. If you’re looking for burpless cucumbers, most varieties that are seedless and thin-skinned have lower levels of cucurbitacins than thicker-skinned types and are therefore less likely to cause digestive upset. You may also want to look for varieties described as bitter-free or nonbitter.

How to Grow Thin-Skinned and Seedless Cucumbers

For growing guidance, we offer the following:

• Cucumbers Key Growing Information: a simple overview of essential growing information.
• Greenhouse Cucumber Production Tech Sheet: an in-depth growing guide for greenhouse production, from seeding to harvest.

Learn More

• Cucumber Terminology: an overview of pollination requirements and related terminology.