There are three main varieties of cucumber: “slicing”,
“pickling” and “burpless”. Within these varieties, several
different cultivars have emerged. Cucumbers are botanically
categorized as berries, which are available in many different
sizes, shapes and colors. They range from thick, stubby little
fruits (10-12 cm long) to Dutch greenhouse varieties (of
upto 50 cm long). The most popular variety is the long
smooth salad cucumber which has a smooth, dark-green
skin. Having an enclosed seed and developing from a
flower, botanically cucumbers are classified as accessory
fruits. Much like tomatoes and squash they are often also
perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables. Cucumbers are
usually more than 90% water. The cucumber is originally
from Indian subcontinent but is now grown on most
continents.