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I Hate Cucumbers

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Do You Hate Cucumbers Too?

Have you ever wondered why you or someone you know hates cucumbers? The answer might be in your genes. Read on to find out more about cucumber hate.

I've had a strong aversion to cucumbers my whole life. Interestingly, it also extends to watermelons, which in my opinion taste similar; however, I like pickles just fine! My father also shares the same "cucumber hate" with me, so that was my first clue that there might be more to it than a weird personal quirk. Here's what I learned.

Scientific Look at Cucumber Hate

Why some people find cucumbers disgusting.

Like most vegetables (cucumbers are actually scientifically classified as fruit, but most people treat them as vegetables) cucumbers contain various phytochemicals. A lot of these bioactive compounds may have a positive effect on human health. Many of them are also known for their bitter and pungent taste.

Now this is where it gets interesting. Back in 1931, scientists have identified an organic substance Phenylthiocarbamide - often simply called PTC - that either tastes bitter, or is completely tasteless depending on the genetic makeup of the individual.

Cucumbers contain related organic compounds that are thought to cause the taste some people find repugnant (and others don't notice at all). A gene called TAS2R38 is responsible for the ability to taste the earlier-mentioned PTC, and another bitter compound called PROP.

It's true... The cucumber hate might actually be encoded in your genes! I think we should take pride in our superior tasting powers that lesser mortals do not possess. Go ahead - celebrate your genetical superiority with this cool T-shirt.

Cucumber Hate Poll

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Yes, I hate cucumbers!

Deidre says:

Bloody disgusting, Im not a huge fan of watermelons but nothing is as bad as cucumber!!! down with cucumbers!!! but it is apparently good for your hair so im going to start eating them hmmm sad

Posted January 12, 2012

peepee says:

Ban them all

Posted January 04, 2012

Ian says:

Cucumbers are the food of the devil! To me they taste FOUL! I can detect even the slightest trace - even removing them from a sandwich makes no difference. I hate melons as well.

Posted December 22, 2011

John says:

Hate their disgusting smell and taste. A tiny fragment of cucumber can contaminate a whole sandwich rendering it inedible.

Posted September 28, 2011

Matt says:

I can smell cucumbers a mile away, and watermelon. I can't describe the smell other than the fact that it really bugs me. I was forced to eat cucumbers growing up but I could never get used to the taste, even after years of "practice". Now I just avoid it completely. If for example someone removed one tiny piece of cucumber from a sandwich I would know and it would ruin the whole sandwich as if it was covered in cucumber...bleh!

Posted September 21, 2011

Don says:

BTW... I LOVE sushi and I hate that so much of it is rendered inedible by the inclusion of cucumber... This really must stop!

Posted September 19, 2011

Don says:

I despise cucumber and I always thought watermelon tasted like cucumber (though not quite as bad) and people always thought I was crazy! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

Posted September 19, 2011

Threeps says:

If unicorns were subjected only to eat cucumbers, i'd suggest there's a very good reason why they dont exist! @mafro is clearly living in a dream world, along with anyone else who likes cucumbers for that matter.

Posted September 14, 2011

Threeps says:

Yes! This blog post pretty much describes me exactly. I hate cucumbers, my Dad hates cucumbers, watermelons are on a similar level, and nobody i try and explain it to understands why.

In fact, if i eat something that was cut with a knife that previously was used to cut a cucumber, all i can taste with cucumber. In other words, a trace is enough to make me wretch. Hell the smell is bad enough and puts me off my dinner regularly.

Kill em all!

Posted September 13, 2011

kotskommer says:

HATE HATE HATE CUCUMBERS! watermelons are just as disgusting!
wow never know there was this connection though

Posted September 08, 2011

Lindsay says:

I LOVE watermelon! It's one of my favorite fruits...along with other melons.
But I absolutely HATE cucumbers. Like you, I can stand pickles--but, BLEGH--raw cucumbers! They have a bitter taste to me.

Posted August 13, 2011

royce says:

HATE them. I don't like watermelon as well, but don't hate them like I do cucumbers.

Posted August 01, 2011

morsy83 says:

I hat cucumber, I can smell it far away .

Posted June 02, 2011

Sam says:

Also, Dad hates cucumbers but loves rockmellon, and his Mum loved cumcumbers and ate them all the time when she was pregnant with him!

Posted May 31, 2011

Sam says:

Hate cucumbers and rockmellon (I think you call it cantelope in the states?) but don't mind watermellon?? explain that one?

Posted May 31, 2011

No, cucumbers are awesome!

Elena848 says:

Well , i dont hate cucumbers they are okay but you should replace the cucumber with tomato , TOMATO SUCKS ... when i eat it i fell like im gunna throw up..

Posted January 29, 2012

Benson F. says:

Hate the vile green fruit, but I do like watermelon. My genes are 50/50...

Posted September 21, 2011

mafro says:

This is all in your imagination guys. Cucumber tastes like sunshine! If unicorns existed, they would only eat cucumber. That's how awesome they are.

Posted September 13, 2011

cocktailsexaminer says:

Love 'em!

Posted August 16, 2011

charmilbrettdotcom says:

cucumbers are bitter if they are picked when the sun is hot. if you pick them in the morning, when the dew is still on them, they are sweet.... i think that is why you have to cool them before you jar them up for pickles..

Posted July 27, 2011

GastroStu says:

Interesting lens but I'm afraid I've gotta vote pro-cucumber. It's one of my favourite veggies (fruits) and I absolutely love watermelon too. Mmmmm

Posted June 30, 2011

you have no idea says:

The argument on this website makes no sense. Yes, being able to taste PTC is in fact, genetic. However smell is independent of taste, although closely related. Most of taste, is in fact smell. Simply because you can't taste PTC, doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to smell its presence in a food. Obviously if you hate the smell of something, you won't like how it tastes either. However you're attempting to quantify something that's totally subjective, not being able to eat cucumbers is in no way genetic.

You're overestimating a sensory sensation that's very limited to begin with.

Posted May 18, 2011

WindyWinters says:

Cucumbers are great year-round and even in a sandwich. :)

Posted April 30, 2011

Katherine says:

There are of course some foods that I don't actively enjoy, but cucumber is the only one I HATE. Even if I pick it out of a salad, the salad still tastes of it. The taste doesn't really seem bitter to me, it's just horrible chemically taste that makes me want to gag

Posted April 07, 2011

mysticmama says:

I love cucumbers & pickles :)

Posted February 14, 2011

yourgoldenfuture says:

i love them:-)

Posted February 07, 2011

jeremejazz says:

They're cool.. and healthy...

Posted January 04, 2011

Mickie_G says:

Love cukes! In fact, last summer I had a wonderful crop of them and found some great recipes I will be sharing here on Squidoo.

Posted December 30, 2010

JaguarJulie says:

No hate for those green remarkably shaped vegies -- I love 'em! I could eat 'em everyday.

Posted December 18, 2010

Tipi says:

They just smell so fresh and good!

Posted December 18, 2010

 
view all 58 comments

Why Do Watermelons Taste Like Cucumbers?

Here's how watermelons are made:



I swear, people think I'm insane when I tell them I don't like watermelons. "Whaaaat, how can you NOT like watermelons? They are awesome!". It's not like I hate watermelon because it tastes watermelon-y. I dislike it because it reminds me of cucumbers (especially the part closer to the rind). However, the taste is much fainter than that of cucumbers, so I can somewhat tolerate it.

There's no real mystery here though. Both cucumbers and watermelons are members of the same Cucurbitaceae plant family. They're basically like cousins. Evil, wicked cousins.

Know Your Enemy: The Cucumber

Vile cucumbers thriving in their natural habitat. Contrary to the popular belief, cucumbers are not suitable for human consumption unless they're pickled.

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Chadrew

Cucumber haters unite! Your distaste for this vegetable is a genetic trait. Your body itself is telling you that cucumbers are evil.

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