What Variety of Cucumber Is Not Bitter?

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over millions of years, cucumbers developed a bitter compound called cucurbitacin to deter predators. Fortunately for modern gardeners, many new varieties, often labeled 'burpless' or 'bitter-free,' have been bred to contain very low levels of this compound, answering the question: what variety of cucumber is not bitter?.

Quick Summary

This article explores the best non-bitter cucumber varieties like English, Persian, and certain heirloom types. It explains the compound responsible for bitterness, cucurbitacin, and outlines the environmental factors that can cause it. Additionally, it offers expert tips on proper growing techniques to prevent stress and ensure a sweet, crisp harvest every time.

Key Points

Choose the Right Variety: Select cucumber seeds or plants explicitly labeled 'burpless' or 'bitter-free' to guarantee a low-bitter flavor profile.
English and Persian are Excellent Choices: These are reliably sweet, thin-skinned, and easy to grow, often available in supermarkets and garden centers.
Prevent Plant Stress: Bitterness is primarily caused by plant stress from factors like inconsistent watering, extreme heat, and nutrient deficiency.
Practice Consistent Watering: Ensure plants receive even moisture, especially during hot, dry periods, to prevent the build-up of bitter compounds.
Manage Heat Stress: Provide afternoon shade or use mulch to keep soil temperatures stable and protect plants from extreme heat.
Harvest Regularly: Picking cucumbers when they are young and tender, before they become over-ripe, helps prevent bitterness from developing.
Try the 'Rubbing' Trick: If you have a slightly bitter cucumber, rubbing the cut ends together to draw out the bitter juices can often salvage it for use.

The search for a perfect, non-bitter cucumber leads many gardeners and home cooks to specific varieties known for their consistently mild and sweet flavor profile. The bitterness in cucumbers is caused by a natural compound called cucurbitacin, which is concentrated in the skin and near the stem end. While some varieties are bred to be naturally low in this compound, proper growing conditions play a crucial role in preventing stress that can trigger bitterness even in typically sweet cucumbers.

Top Burpless and Bitter-Free Cucumber Varieties

For those who want to avoid the risk of a bitter harvest, choosing a variety specifically bred for sweetness is the best first step. Here are some of the most reliable options:

English Cucumbers

Often found individually wrapped in plastic at grocery stores, English cucumbers are long, slender, and almost seedless. Their skin is thin and delicate, and they are bred to be burpless, meaning they are less likely to be bitter and are easier to digest. They are ideal for salads and sandwiches where their mild, crisp flavor can shine.

Persian Cucumbers

Similar to English cucumbers but shorter and a bit thicker, Persian cucumbers are prized for their exceptional crispness and sweet, almost seedless flesh. Their thin, tender skin doesn't require peeling, making them perfect for quick snacks or appetizers. Like English cucumbers, they are considered burpless.

Diva

This variety is a high-performing and heat-tolerant option for home gardeners. 'Diva' is a hybrid that produces crisp, mild, and consistently non-bitter fruits, even in warmer weather conditions. It's a great choice for salads and fresh eating and is also resistant to many common cucumber diseases.

Marketmore 76

For a classic slicing cucumber, 'Marketmore 76' is a reliable choice known for its consistent mild flavor and resistance to bitterness. It's a good all-around cucumber that performs well in a variety of growing conditions, producing straight, dark green fruit.

Sweet Success

A popular hybrid, 'Sweet Success' is known for its sweet, thin-skinned, burpless fruit and productive vines. It's another excellent, dependable choice for growers looking for a guaranteed non-bitter experience.

Factors That Cause Bitterness in Cucumbers

Even with a non-bitter variety, a plant can produce bitter fruit if subjected to stress. The natural compound cucurbitacin can be triggered by environmental factors. Understanding and controlling these factors is key to a sweet harvest:

Uneven Watering: Inconsistent moisture levels in the soil are a primary cause of bitterness. A sudden drought followed by heavy watering can shock the plant and cause cucurbitacin to move into the fruit.
Extreme Heat: Prolonged periods of hot, dry weather put stress on the plant, leading to an increase in bitter compounds. Providing some afternoon shade or using a shade cloth can help in extremely hot climates.
Nutrient Deficiencies: Cucumbers are heavy feeders and require fertile, nutrient-rich soil. Insufficient nutrients can cause stress and lead to bitterness. Amending the soil with compost and providing a balanced fertilizer can prevent this.
Pest or Disease: Any damage to the plant from pests or disease can cause stress, leading to bitterness.

Comparison Table of Non-Bitter Cucumber Varieties


Variety	Appearance	Flavor Profile	Growing Considerations	Best Uses	Special Notes
English	Long, slender, smooth, thin skin	Very mild, sweet, minimal seeds	Often grown in greenhouses; sensitive to outdoor stress	Salads, fresh eating, garnishes	Sold individually wrapped to retain moisture; burpless
Persian	Short, stout, smooth, thin skin	Exceptionally crisp and sweet, almost seedless	Great for snacking; thin skin doesn't require peeling	Snacks, salads, appetizers	Burpless variety
Diva	Medium-length, smooth, glossy skin	Mild, crisp, consistent flavor	Hybrid, disease-resistant, heat-tolerant	Salads, fresh eating	Excellent for home gardens; consistently non-bitter
Marketmore 76	Dark green, traditional slicing size	Classic mild cucumber flavor	Reliable performer in various conditions	Slicing, salads	Resistant to bitterness even under some stress
Sweet Success	Long, smooth, thin skin	Sweet, burpless flavor	Productive vines; a dependable hybrid	Salads, fresh eating	Very prolific and reliable

Proper Growing Techniques for a Sweet Harvest

Beyond choosing the right seed, following best practices for cultivation will help you avoid bitter cucumbers:

Consistent Watering: Ensure plants receive a consistent and deep watering, especially during dry spells. Soaker hoses or drip irrigation can help maintain even soil moisture.
Mulch the Soil: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like straw or shredded bark) around the base of the plants. This helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
Provide Afternoon Shade: If you live in an area with intense summer heat, consider planting your cucumbers where they will receive some relief from the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Feed Your Plants: Amend your soil with compost before planting and feed regularly with a balanced, organic fertilizer, especially once the plant begins to flower and fruit.
Harvest Early and Often: Over-ripening can increase bitterness. Pick cucumbers while they are young and tender, and don't let them get too large.

Conclusion

Bitterness in cucumbers is not an inevitability, but a manageable condition. By choosing a variety specifically labeled 'burpless' or 'bitter-free,' such as the English, Persian, or Diva cucumbers, and ensuring consistent watering and moderate temperatures during the growing season, you can enjoy a consistently sweet and crisp harvest. Avoiding plant stress is the single most important factor, regardless of the variety chosen. With the right care and selection, home-grown cucumbers can be a delicious, refreshing treat all summer long.

Here is a useful guide on managing plant stress for better yields.

How to Prepare a Slightly Bitter Cucumber

If you find yourself with a slightly bitter cucumber, there is a simple kitchen trick to reduce the flavor. The compound responsible for bitterness is concentrated in the stem end. Slice off the stem end and discard it. Then, rub the cut end of the cucumber in a circular motion against the remaining cucumber. A white, foamy substance will appear, which contains some of the bitterness. Wipe this foam away and repeat with the other end if needed. Peeling the skin also helps, as much of the cucurbitacin resides there.

Frequently Asked Questions

English and Persian cucumbers are considered among the sweetest varieties due to being bred to be burpless and have very low levels of the bitter compound, cucurbitacin.

Homegrown cucumbers often turn bitter due to plant stress caused by inconsistent watering, extreme heat, nutrient deficiencies, or pest attacks. Even non-bitter varieties can become bitter under these conditions.

Yes, much of the bitterness is concentrated in the skin and the area near the seeds. Peeling the cucumber and removing the seeds can significantly reduce the bitter taste.

For slightly bitter cucumbers, you can slice off the stem end and rub the two cut surfaces together. This releases a white, bitter foam that you can wipe away. Peeling the skin will also help.

Burpless cucumbers are bred to have low levels of cucurbitacin, making them less bitter. While many burpless varieties, like English cucumbers, are also nearly seedless, the terms are not interchangeable. Seedlessness is a separate trait.

Yes, you can grow non-bitter cucumbers in hot climates by choosing heat-tolerant varieties like 'Diva' and providing some afternoon shade or mulching the soil to regulate temperature.

Yes, cucumber varieties vary greatly in size. English cucumbers are very long, Persian cucumbers are short, while others like 'Lemon' cucumbers are small and round.

Yes, cucumbers that are left on the vine too long and become over-ripe are more likely to develop a bitter taste. Harvesting them while they are young and tender is recommended for the best flavor.