In summer, every table is sure to have a large number of tasty and he althy vegetables. But does everyone know where the homeland of the cucumber is located and what useful properties it has? Why is it worth allocating a place of honor in the garden for growing this crop?
Which country is the birthplace of the cucumber?
It is generally accepted that cucumber is a purely Russian vegetable, but this is a very big misconception. The homeland of the cucumber is not only not Russia, but not even a country adjacent to it.
This vegetable is a herbaceous plant of the gourd family. By the way, cucumber (just like pumpkin) is a berry. This plant is an annual. It is known that in Russia it has been grown for only 400-500 years. In ancient times, cucumbers in Greece were called "aguros", which means "unripe". It is believed that the smaller the fruit, the tastier it is. Cucumber is native to India. It has been cultivated there for 5000 years. There, this vegetable is a wild plant, and it can be found even in the forest.
Fit features
Where the homeland of cucumbers (in India), tropical and subtropical prevailsclimate. It is important to know that for a good harvest it is required to plant "aguros" when the temperature reaches 15-17°C. The most favorable month for sowing is June.
In the first month of summer the air temperature is still not very high, and in the next sixty days of summer the crop will reach sufficient growth and ripen.
Little Known Facts
The birthplace of the cucumber is the largest country in South Asia. Surprisingly, cucumbers are not specially planted in India. They independently wrap around trees and fences. It is also curious that earlier, when this vegetable was a rarity, the Turkish Sultan ordered to open the stomachs of his servants in order to find out who stole and ate the "aguros" that his acquaintance brought to him in small quantities.
Often, it is this vegetable that is familiar to us that gets into the Guinness Book of Records. A cucumber is registered there, the length of which is 1.83 m. It was found in Hungary.
Also among the champions there is the heaviest vegetable, weighing more than 6 kg.
Where is cucumber valued?
The homeland of the cucumber is not only India, but also China. It is there that seedlings of cucumbers are now grown in boxes on the roofs of houses, and then transplanted into the ground. The vegetable was also valued in Greece: the city of Sikyon, which translates as “city of cucumbers,” was named after him.
It is known that the plant was depicted in ancient Egypt on frescoes that have survived to this day. In Suzdal, to this day, every year in June, Cucumber Day is celebrated, and in Lukovitsyand a two-meter bronze monument was erected in honor of the plant.
Useful properties of the plant
How many he alth benefits does a cucumber have?
The birthplace of a plant is associated with youth and endless vitality, and this is no coincidence. The fact is that cucumber has a lot of useful vitamins and elements. Thanks to them, many diseases can be prevented or slowed down. These diseases include cardiovascular problems, obesity, poor kidney and liver function, and slow metabolism. Cucumbers not only contain a huge amount of iodine, which, by the way, prevents thyroid disease, but also has a very small amount of calories. This plant will perfectly fit into the diet of those people who are overweight or watch their figure. The minimum calorie content is due to the fact that the vegetable is more than 90% water.
Useful properties are not only the fruit itself, but also its seeds. They remove excess cholesterol from the human body. In addition, the use of cucumbers and their juice improves skin condition and improves memory.
Cucumbers and skincare
Cucumbers are a great vegetable that is used for skin care. The plant tones and refreshes the face. Cucumber masks are suitable for all skin types. For those who have dry skin that is constantly flaky, cosmetologists recommend wiping their face every day with a swab dipped in a special mask. To prepare it, you need to mix dicedpeeled cucumber with olive oil in proportions of 1 to 1, and then let it brew for a day. Such a daily procedure will help prevent irritation on the face and get rid of peeling.
Cucumber masks are also shown to people with oily skin. They help to normalize the work of sebum. To prepare a mask for this type of skin, you will need to mix the juice of half a cucumber with 1 teaspoon of cologne. You need to wipe your face with this lotion daily.
To improve the condition of the face, owners of combination skin can wipe their face with ice cubes and cucumber juice.
Contraindications
In addition to the mass of positive aspects, cucumbers also have contraindications. They are not recommended for lactating women, people with stomach diseases and those who are fond of diuretics, as well as for some endocrine diseases.
Conclusion
Cucumber is a fairly popular vegetable in our home, but does everyone know where its homeland is? Not everyone knows about the beneficial properties of the fruit, thereby underestimating the universal plant. Not for nothing that cucumbers were depicted in ancient Greece on the walls of temples. This plant is an endless source of he alth, youth and beauty. Cucumbers, subject to all recommendations, are easy to grow and then benefit the body all summer, and the result lasts all year. That is why gardeners recommend studying in detail the beneficial properties of cucumbers and allocating some space for them in their garden.
