In case you’re aware of Hendrick’s, you then’re possible aware of the model’s affinity for cucumbers. A cucumber is usually the right garnish for a Hendrick’s G&T resulting from the way it brings out the flavour within the gin, so excellent that the model can generally be seen at occasions in “The Grand Garnisher,” a truck-sized bike-powered system that cuts up cucumbers to make them cocktail prepared.
As we speak Hendrick’s is taking that love of cucumber a step additional by providing a “Curious Cucumber Assortment” from Farmer Jones Farm, highlighting a number of the rarest cucumbers on the planet, a few of that are close to extinction. Cucumber fans can buy limited-edition selection packs of the uncommon cucumbers for $48.
So, what are uncommon cucumbers? Hendrick’s Grasp Distiller Lesley Gracie labored with Professor Lenore Newman, PhD & Director of the Meals and Agriculture Institute on the College of the Fraser Valley and one in all North America’s foremost consultants in agriculture to establish the species included. Seeds for every had been sourced from across the planet after which cultivated in greenhouses throughout North America and Europe (though none from Cucumber Creek).
“As somebody who has devoted my profession to the invention and preservation of uncommon fruit and veggies, I can say with conviction that what Hendrick’s has carried out for these cucumbers is an amazing scientific accomplishment,” stated Newman “These seeds symbolize a microscopic quantity of the worldwide cucumber inhabitants and with out this venture, they remained at risk. It’s outstanding to see them restored to such nice scale, and it’s such a pleasure for folks to now be capable of style these marvelous fruits.”
If you wish to style them, right here’s a rundown of the choice (what you get in a pack may differ based mostly on harvest availability).
The Six Uncommon Cucumbers
● The extremely curious Cucamelon (Melothria scabra) is cultivated as a minor crop in Mexico and Central America, and really not often skilled elsewhere. Flavors are just like a cucumber, but sweeter and citrus-like, with an uncanny exterior resemblance to a mini-watermelon.
● Significantly uncommon in look donning a peculiar mixture of vivid orange & inexperienced with horn-like spikes, the African Horned (Cucumis metuliferus) is an in depth relative of our beloved cucumber that primarily grows wild and in native gardens throughout southern Africa, carrying pleasant notes of melon, kiwi, banana and citrus.
● The Hmong Purple (Cucumis sativus) is grown by the Hmong folks in intimate gardens adorning the mountains of Northern Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, the place upon maturation, this miraculous fruit transitions in coloration from a pale inexperienced to a golden orange, and affords a tart taste.
● The Aonaga Jibai (Cucumis sativus), a treasured household gem from the island of Kyushu, Japan, can solely be discovered within the quaint city of Beppu, the place it’s recognized for its unusually lengthy and slim form and splendidly candy style.
● Solely discovered tucked away within the nation of Bhutan, the Gagon Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is sort of distinct – because it matures, it shifts from containing the traits of a standard cucumber to marvelous honeydew.
● Usually unknown exterior of Jap Europe, the traditional Muromsky Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is oddly lined in black spikes and prized for its nice scent, crunchy texture, and punchy taste.
“You might say I’ve a wholesome obsession with cucumbers, they really are fairly fascinating fruits,” stated Gracie. “Once we had been first growing Hendrick’s, experimenting with cucumbers and determining the best way to get that curious cooling sensation right into a gin was a giant second in my profession. Through the years, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing so many numerous and great types of cucumber in numerous elements of the world. The possibility to domesticate a number of the extra peculiar types on the point of extinction has been a particularly enjoyable and welcomed problem.”
If you wish to take just a few of those cucumbers out for a spin in your subsequent cocktail you may grab a kit from Farmer Jones Farm now.