Do you love cucumbers but hate the burps they give you? If so, you’re going to love this article.
Burpless cucumbers are a unique variety of cucumber that contains much lower levels of cucurbitacin, a compound prominent in cucumbers that are known to increase burping!
They’re becoming increasingly popular, for obvious reasons, so we thought we’d write a post about them.
In this post, we’ll discuss what burpless cucumbers are, the essentials of growing them, and all about the different varieties. So if you’re looking for a delicious and burp-free way to enjoy cucumbers, keep reading!
Burpless Cucumber vs. Regular Cucumber: What’s The Difference?
As I’ve already touched upon, the main difference between burpless cucumbers and regular cucumbers is the level of cucurbitacin present.
Cucurbitacin is a compound found in all cucumbers, but burpless cucumbers have much lower levels of it. This compound is what gives cucumbers their bitterness and is also responsible for the dreaded burps!
If I’m candid with you, burpless cucumbers aren’t scientifically proven to reduce burping; as the name suggests, it’s more of a myth, according to Todd Wehner. However, what is a proven fact is the fact that lower cucurbitacin levels do decrease bitterness!
How Tall Do Burpless Cucumbers Grow?
Burpless cucumbers are typically longer than regular cucumbers and can even grow up to 10-12 inches in length!
They make for some pretty large cucumbers, but surely that means they take up more room in your garden? Yes, they take up a lot more space!
Do Burpless cucumbers need a trellis?
I recommend growing burpless cucumbers on a trellis. Not only is growing vertically a big space saver, but it can also help with the shape of the cucumbers. Growing cucumbers vertically, in general, results in straighter cucumbers.
Also, burpless cucumbers need roughly 4 feet of space to grow and 6-8 hours of sunlight. The last thing you want is to plant them on the ground, stealing nutrients from each other, half of your seedlings in too much shade, etc.
If you’d like more information on growing cucumbers vertically, we’ve got you covered with our article here.
Can You Pickle Burpless Cucumbers?
Unfortunately, burpless cucumbers can’t be pickled, they’re fantastic to slice for a sandwich or to put into a G&T, but pickling is a no-no.
Burpless cucumbers aren’t suitable for picking because there’s an enzyme that’ll cause your cukes to soften during the fermentation process; they lose their crunch and everything!
Pickling is best left to a regular cucumber; however, if you must give pickling a burpless cucumber a go, there is a way forward. Very small burpless cucumbers, with their tiny seeds, can work for quick pickling, don’t leave them too long or you’ll have some soggy pickled cukes on your hands!
Picking Burpless Cucumbers
Burpless cucumbers are usually picked when they’re around 8-10 inches long.
You’ll want to pick them before they get too big, as that’s when the seeds start to become more prominent, and the flesh can become a little mushy.
One of the main benefits of burpless cucumbers is their thin skin, which results in quicker digestion; they’re easier to chew and effortless to prepare for meal time. So leaving them to get too big would defeat one of the objectives of growing burpless cucumbers!
To pick burpless cucumbers, cut them from the vine with a sharp knife, careful not to damage the plant.
In terms of harvest time, you’re looking at around 55-65 days after sowing. Be sure to water them regularly and ensure they get enough sunlight. Regular pruning to promote vertical growth is also a good idea.
7 Delicious Burpless Cucumber Varieties
I’m sure it’s come across, but I love burpless cucumbers! They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes; here are my seven recommendations to grow.
| Cucumber | Harvest Time | Width | Length |
| Burpless #26 | 55 days | 1-2 feet | 10 inches |
| Diva Burpless Hybrid | 58 days | 1-2 feet | 8-10 inches |
| Early Pride | 55 days | 2-4 feet | 10 inches |
| Muncher | 63 days | 1-2 feet | 9 inches |
| Poinsett 76 | 60 days | 1-2 feet | 8 inches |
| Sweet Slice | 58 days | 2-3 feet | 12 inches |
| Tendergreen Burpless | 55 days | 1-3 feet | 7-8 inches |
Amazingly, there are so many varieties of burpless cucumber to grow, all you need is that little packet of seeds, and some soil, and you’re good to go.
Burpless Cucumbers Are Seedless!
Speaking of seeds, did you know that burpless cucumbers are, in fact, seedless!?
Burpless cucumbers don’t need to pollinate in order to grow, which is the opposite to regular American slicing cucumbers.
It’s fascinating, burpless cucumbers are what’s called parthenocarpic, this basically means that should any seeds ripen, they still won’t be able to germinate due to their infertility – who’d have thought it!
The only drawback to this is you’ll have to purchase new seeds should you want to grow more cucumbers, as you’re never getting hold of any seeds naturally because they can’t pollinate. Not the end of the world and the fact they’re seedless makes for a tastier cucumber in my opinion!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does rubbing cucumbers remove bitterness?
Yes, rubbing does remove a cucumber’s bitterness, although it isn’t necessary for burpless cucumbers. The act of rubbing is slicing off the end of the stem, or last part of the cucumber and in a circular motion rubbing the end of the cucumber.
Why are my burpless cucumbers yellow?
If your burpless cucumbers are yellow, it’s likely due to lack of water and nutrients. Make sure you water them regularly and fertilize them every few weeks. Also, harvest them earlier; the larger they grow, the chlorophyll begins to fade, which gives them a yellow tint.
Do burpless cucumbers need a trellis?
No, burpless cucumbers don’t need a trellis; however, growing them vertically on a trellis, tomato cage, or fence will result in straighter cucumbers and save a lot of space in your garden.
Conclusion
I know “burpless” is in the name; whether that’s true or not remains to be seen. What I can promise you is a delicious cucumber, free of the bitter taste they can sometimes bring.
Would I recommend growing them? Absolutely! As with growing any vegetable, if you dedicate the effort to regular water and pruning, and you’re also happy to create the means for them to grow vertically (or they’ll take over your garden), get stuck in!
I hope this article has helped you learn a little more about burpless cucumbers and how to grow them. If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
