Why zucchini bitter: the main reasons

Sometimes gardeners are faced with the fact that in the garden grows a bitter zucchini. Why can such a problem arise? The appearance of bitter cucumbers is not uncommon, sometimes other vegetables and fruits can be bitter. But with zucchini it happens quite rarely. Let's try to determine the main reasons.

Why zucchini bitter?

In fact, cucumber and zucchini are the closest relatives, so the main reason for the appearance of bitterness in them is one. It's all about cucurbitacin - this substance accumulates in vegetables and causes a bitter taste. The increase in its concentration in zucchini may occur due to various factors. For example, the lack of regular watering or a sudden change in humidity. That is, if during the summer heavy rains were observed, which were then followed by long dry periods, then bitter zucchini may well appear on your bed.

Another concentration of cucurbitin depends on the variety. Selective works conducted over the years, provided us with varieties that contain a minimum amount of this substance. However, do not forget that there is a risk of spaying with other cultures. Especially dangerous in this respect are decorative pumpkins, bitter and inedible. Therefore, when choosing a place for a garden, consider this factor.

It is interesting that the question "why is the zucchini bitter" is answered by many truck farmers that this is due to the excess of fresh organic fertilizers. However, if there is a surplus of organic matter, another phenomenon arises: intensive growth of the green mass, a decrease in the growth of fruits and a deterioration in their condition.

Why zucchini bitter after cooking

Everyone loves fried zucchini, and squash caviar in our country is generally beyond competition. However, sometimes a dish after cooking has a specific bitter taste. In principle, food can be consumed, but somehow I do not want to. So, why is the zucchini bitter after cooking? There are only two answers to this question. First: the courgette was initially bitter for some reason, as already mentioned above. Consequently, the whole dish acquires a specific taste. The second option - bitterness gives some other product. For example, quite often you can buy in the market or even grow on your site a large red hot pepper instead of sweet Bulgarian. Just one seed in the package, and here on your site grows a completely different plant. Outwardly they are quite similar, but the burning pepper has a sharp tip. However, if you process a large number of vegetables, it's easy not to notice. So hot pepper gets into the general dish and gives it bitterness and sharpness. Another cause of bitterness is rancid sunflower oil, which you could use when cooking. Another specific flavor can give the dish some seasonings, so make sure that you are not mistaken with the recipe.

So, we have identified all the main reasons why zucchini bitter (in the garden or in the prepared dish). Properly care for plants, stick to the formula. And you reduce the risk of such a phenomenon to a minimum.