Cucumber trivia quiz. A collection of fun facts about cucumbers.
Cucumbers are a vegetable that many Japanese people likely eat on a daily basis, whether in salads, pickles, or vinegared dishes.
They’re one of the staple vegetables you can find at supermarkets year-round and are indispensable on the dining table! However, there are surprisingly many things we don’t know about cucumbers.
In this article, we’ll introduce a collection of fun facts about cucumbers in a quiz format.
We’ve selected a wide range of topics—from tips useful for cooking to those related to history—so please enjoy taking the quiz as you learn!
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Cucumber Trivia Quiz: A Collection of Fun Facts About Cucumbers (1–10)
What effects does the potassium, which is abundant in cucumbers, have?
- sleep-improving effect
- Reduce swelling
- Strengthen bones
See the answer
Reduce swelling
Potassium, which is abundant in cucumbers, helps reduce swelling. Potassium expels excess sodium from the body, which in turn helps alleviate puffiness. Incidentally, cucumbers contain about 200 mg of potassium per 100 g, which is about the same amount as cabbage or lettuce.
Which prefecture has the highest cucumber production in Japan?
- Aomori Prefecture
- Ibaraki Prefecture
- Miyazaki Prefecture
See the answer
Miyazaki Prefecture
Miyazaki Prefecture takes advantage of its warm climate to actively cultivate cucumbers. It also utilizes differences in elevation among growing areas to operate a “production relay,” enabling year-round production.
In the Edo period, people avoided eating cucumbers because the cross-section of a cucumber resembled which family crest?
- The Tokugawa clan’s triple hollyhock crest
- The Paulownia with Five-Seven of the Toyotomi clan
- The Oda clan’s quince (crest)
See the answer
The Tokugawa clan’s triple hollyhock crest
In the Edo period, the cross section of a cucumber was said to resemble the Tokugawa family crest, the triple hollyhock. Out of respect for the Tokugawa shogunate, people are said to have avoided eating cucumbers. There was also a custom of avoiding them because the cross section was thought to resemble the crests of Akechi Mitsuhide and of Yasaka Shrine.
Cucumber Trivia Quiz: A compilation of cucumber-related fun facts (11–20)
What is the role of the spines on the surface of a cucumber?
- Prevent moisture evaporation
- Protect oneself from herbivory
- storing nutrients
See the answer
Protect oneself from herbivory
The small spines on the surface of cucumbers developed as a defensive feature to protect the plant from animals and insects. The spines gradually disappear, leaving only the bumps at their base. These spines are called trichomes, and in recent years, cucumber varieties without trichomes have also been cultivated.
Which of these are characteristics of fresh cucumbers?
- things with yellow surfaces
- Something with firm, pointed warts
- Something that gradually tapers toward the tip
See the answer
Something with firm, pointed warts
When choosing fresh cucumbers, it’s best to pick ones that are firm, not wilted, deep green, and evenly thick. Also, the feature that answers this question—having firm, sharp bumps—is considered important for judging freshness. However, since varieties without bumps are now being cultivated, in those cases please rely on the other points when making your selection.
How can I make star-shaped cucumbers?
- Grow it in a star-shaped mold
- Plant seeds that grow into star shapes
- Make star-shaped cuts and let it grow
See the answer
Grow it in a star-shaped mold
To grow cucumbers in a star shape, place young cucumbers into a star-shaped mold while they’re still developing. They’ll grow to match the mold’s shape. These molds are available on the market, so try it out in your home garden!
How can you remove the bitterness (astringency) from cucumbers?
- Slice the cucumber into rounds, sprinkle with salt, and let it sit for a while.
- Coat the entire cucumber with salt and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Cut off the stem end and rub the cut surfaces together.
See the answer
Cut off the stem end and rub the cut surfaces together.
One method for removing a cucumber’s harshness is to cut off the stem end and then gently rub the cut surfaces together in a circular motion. This is done to draw out the vascular sap, which causes astringency and bitterness. By the way, you only need to cut off the end where the vine was attached. Some of you may have seen videos of this procedure on social media, but many might not know that it actually helps remove the bitterness.