Japanese Food Tips

Cucumbers can be found easily and at a cheap price in supermarkets in the summer season in Japan. However, they can also be seen year round because of vinyl greenhouse cultivation. The Japanese cucumber is about 20 cm./8 in. long, about 3 cm./1 1/4in. in diameter and weighs around 100 g/3 1/2 oz. The skin is thin and it has few seeds. It is low calorie and good for health. Its high moisture content of 95% is suitable for summer because it cools the body. Cucumbers are mostly eaten raw, such as in salads and as tsukemono (Japanese pickles). I was so surprised to learn that the cucumber originated in India before the 10th century. It is a popular and widely consumed vegetable now in Japan. Cucumber pickles (kyuri no tsukemono) can be obtained easily at supermarkets and speciality pickle shops in Japan. Why not try tsukemono when you come to Japan?