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What is so great about the Cucumber, huh???

The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family. It has a natural cooling effect. That is why it is used in salads, sandwiches and even for facial and beauty products and treatments. The cucumber can be eaten or used hot or cold. But most of the time it’s eaten and used raw, so that it will not lose it’s refreshing coolness. The cucumber is also a natural diuretic which is used in the fitness world by bodybuilders and people trying to reduce their weight.

It is commonly used in salads, because as above-mentioned it is cooling. And most of the time salads are served as appetizers or before main course. Because of its cooling effect it’s effective in cleansing the palate before eating the main course.

     Nowadays, because of it’s popularity there are a lot of cucumber salad variations. The most common and simplest variation of a cucumber salad is made by slicing and peeling the cucumber thinly and pouring a simple pickling solution on it, and refrigerating it afterwards. The pickling solution is composed of equal amounts of sugar and vinegar, with some water and salt & pepper to taste. It is great as an accompaniment for grilled pork. Here’s another simple and easy cucumber salad recipe:

Marinated Cucumber Salad:
2 large cucumbers, peeled and sliced paper thin
¼ teaspoon dill, chopped finely
1 tablespoon sugar
¼ cup white vinegar
¼ cup mayonnaise
Combine all ingredients together and chill for 1-2 hours.

    Cucumbers are also known for the famous cucumber sandwiches which are served traditionally alongside hot tea. They are most often served for a light snack or at afternoon tea. They are also traditionally served in the tea break at cricket club matches in England.
A cucumber sandwich is composed of paper-thin slices of cucumber placed between two thin slices of crust less, lightly buttered white bread. In making a cucumber sandwich everything should be sliced very thinly. The traditional cucumber sandwich is of British origin, they are also known as tea sandwiches. Because of cucumbers’ cooling nature, cucumber sandwiches are often eaten in the summer months or in warmer climates. That is also why it’s accompanied with hot tea, because of the hot and cold contrast between the two. There are also some modern variations of the traditional cucumber sandwich recipe, here’s a simple recipe:

Cucumber with Smoked Salmon Sandwich:
1 large cucumber, peeled, sliced thinly and drained very well
1 cup cream cheese
1 teaspoon dill, chopped finely
½ cup smoked salmon, flaked
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 stick softened butter
1 loaf of soft, crust less white bread
Salt and pepper to taste

Beat cream cheese until creamy. Add flaked smoked salmon, dill and lemon juice. Lightly butter the bread, arrange cucumber slices on top of the bread; sprinkle some salt and pepper, and spread evenly and lightly the cream cheese mixture. Slice the sandwich diagonally in the middle before serving.

   Cucumbers are also used for facial and beauty treatments and products. Commonly fresh slices of cucumber can be seen covering the eyes. It is proven to reduce eye-puffiness, and swelling eye-bags. And again, it’s because of it’s cooling effect. There are beauty products like toners, astringents, lotions and even colognes which are cucumber based. It is also effective as an aid to sun-burnt skin.