🥒 #5 in the Nation

Cucumbers

Cool, crisp, and incredibly hydrating — NC cucumbers rank 5th in the country.

💧 Cucumbers are 96% water — one of the most hydrating foods on earth
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About This Crop

NC Cucumbers

North Carolina harvests approximately 149 million pounds of cucumbers each year, ranking fifth in the nation. NC grows both slicing cucumbers for fresh eating and pickling cucumbers that end up in jars on shelves nationwide. The state's warm climate and fertile soils produce a consistent, high-quality crop that NC farmers have perfected over generations.

Why It's Good For You

Health Benefits

Deep Hydration

Cucumbers are about 96% water — one of the most hydrating foods you can eat, perfect for NC's hot summers.

Anti-Inflammatory

Antioxidants including flavonoids and tannins help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Blood Sugar Support

Research suggests cucumbers may help lower blood sugar and reduce complications associated with diabetes.

Skin Health

High silica content combined with excellent hydration makes cucumbers a natural ally for healthy, radiant skin.

Key Nutrients

Nutrition Highlights

Per typical serving — % values are approximate Daily Values.

Vitamin K
62% DV
Vitamin C
14% DV
Potassium
7% DV
Magnesium
5% DV
Water Content
96%

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Botanically it's a fruit — it grows from a flower and contains seeds. In the kitchen, it's always treated as a vegetable. NC cucumber farmers would say it's whatever tastes best in a salad.

The skin is edible and contains fiber and Vitamin K. For locally grown, unwaxed cucumbers a good wash is all you need. Store-bought cucumbers with a wax coating benefit from peeling or very thorough scrubbing.

Slicing cucumbers are longer, smoother, and bred for fresh eating. Pickling cucumbers are shorter, bumpier, have thinner skins, and lower water content — which helps them hold up in brine. NC grows both in significant quantities.

NC cucumbers peak twice — late spring (May–June) and again in late summer (August–September). Look for them at local farmers markets during both windows for the freshest product.

Keep Exploring

Discover More NC Vegetables

See All NC Crops