Cucumber belongs to the gourd family and is classified as a fruit. Scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, it comes from the same family as zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, and other summer squash.
The cucumber plant is a creeping vine that produces edible fruits that are tube-shaped and can be harvested at different times of the year. Cucumbers are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K, as well as potassium and manganese, which are beneficial to the body.
Cucumbers are commonly eaten fresh and are known as slicing cucumbers. Gherkin cucumbers are grown mainly for pickling and are smaller in size than slicing cucumbers. While cucumbers are available all year round, they taste best between May and July..Read The Complete Original.