History
The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a herbaceous vegetable plant native to India. It had been cultivated for more than 3000 years in Western Asia, especially in ancient Egypt where the Hebrews discovered this vegetable during their captivity. It is also cited three times in the Old Testament. It was part of the cuisine of ancient Greece and Roman cuisine.
In the 17th century, cucumber was a noble food because it was valued by the wealthy classes who saw it as a food for pleasure since cucumber is a non-satiating fruit.
No date of introduction into Martinique is known but it would have been imported into the island by the colonists.
Varieties
There are over 78 varieties of cucumbers. Besides, the maroon cucumber is a variety of cucumber. In Martinique, there are various varieties: Kalima, Euréka, Antilla, Gémini 7, Maverick, Calypso, Pixie, Chipper and Poinset.
Like the melon, it is a climbing and creeping plant. The large leaves, alternate and stipulate, pentagonal with palmate veins have 3 to 5 lobes. The edge of the blade is dentate. The cucumber exhibits great foliar variability on the same individual.
The flowers are unisexual. Male and female flowers are pale yellow but distinct but are borne by the same stems.
The fruits are elongated and fleshy, with a soft or rough touch depending on the species. They can reach 30 cm long and 5 cm in diameter. These are berries containing many seeds. The color varies when the cucumber reaches maturity and depending on the variety it changes from green to white or even yellow.
Health benefits
Eating cucumber is beneficial in calming heartburn. In external application, it calms the burns of the skin.
Cucumber has recognized virtues for the skin. Rich in water, it cleans the waste inside the body. When used regularly it dissolves kidney stones.
Very rich in vitamins A, B and C, cucumber gives energy and helps strengthen the immune system.
As we often see, a slice of cucumber is often used to reduce eye bags and dark circles.
Cucumber is also very good for weight loss because it is very low in calories. It provides fibers that will increase satiety.
It is also a blood pressure stabilizer and its contributions of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants help fight cancer.
Cucumber contains Silica which is very good for having beautiful nails and beautiful hair.
It also helps lower uric acid levels which is good for the kidneys and helps produce insulin which is beneficial for people with diabetes.
Uses
Cucumber is widely consumed in Martinique, in particular the Kalinavariety which can be found in our gardens. It is used as a vegetable and is often eaten grated or in small pieces. It is the essential element of our cucumber-smoked herring appetizer.
In the rest of the world, cucumber is also eaten in salads but it is also present in many skin products such as shower gels, body lotions and soaps.
It is also used in spa treatments.
The cucumber grown in Martinique is not exported but consumed locally.
