Produce
Cucumbers
Cucumbers sit mid-table, and the answer changes depending on whether you peel them. Waxed field cucumbers hold residues in the coating; English cucumbers sold in plastic are unwaxed.
Organic upgrade priority
Consider organic
Score 28/100 · about $2.40 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 58/100 against 23/100 for organic — a 35-point difference.
- →At about 4 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 58/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 66/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $1.19
- per each · organic +50%
- Servings a week
- 4
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,725
- Conventional, 2016–2024 · 89 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional cucumbers
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,725 | 89 |
| Program years | 2016–2024 | 2016–2024 |
| Samples with any residue | 88% | 43% |
| Mean residues per sample | 2.9 | 1.0 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.35% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 58/100 | 23/100 |
| Typical price | $1.19 / each | $1.79 / each |
Nutrition
Per 1 cup sliced (119 g).
16
calories
0.8 g
protein
0.6 g
fiber
—
sugar
- Vitamin K 14% DV
- 95% water by weight
- Very low calorie
How to wash cucumbers
If the skin feels slick, it is waxed — scrub it hard or peel it. Unwaxed English and Persian cucumbers only need a rinse.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Cucumbers are chilling-sensitive. Below 10 °C they develop watery pits within a few days, which is why they often go slimy at the back of the fridge.
- ◆Salting sliced cucumber for ten minutes and draining it keeps a salad from turning into soup.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic cucumbers?
It is a reasonable upgrade when the budget allows, but not the first one to make. Cucumbers scores 28/100 on organic upgrade priority, with conventional samples at 58/100 against 23/100 organic. At about $2.40 extra a week, it competes with several higher-priority items.
›Are cucumbers high in pesticides?
Cucumbers shows higher residue evidence — an index of 58/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,725 conventional samples from 2016–2024, 88% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 2.9 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.35% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic cucumbers cost?
About 50% more at typical U.S. retail — $1.19 per each conventional against $1.79 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $2.40 a week.
›How should I wash cucumbers?
If the skin feels slick, it is waxed — scrub it hard or peel it. Unwaxed English and Persian cucumbers only need a rinse.
›What can I buy instead of cucumbers?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Celery, Cabbage, Bell peppers cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Bell peppers
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29
Cabbage
$2.49 / head · organic $3.49
Celery
$2.49 / bunch · organic $3.49
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49