your stout assertion that the straight cucumber myth was true.
an extract from
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31988R1677 and then click on the PDF EN icon for the English text. The nice people at the EU also provide the document in 27 other languages
( note the bit I have highlighted in red )
B. Classification
Cucumbers are classed into the four classes defined below :
(i) 'Extra ' class
Cucumbers in this class must be of superior quality. They must have all the characteristics of the
variety.
They must :
— be well developed
— be well shaped and practically straight (maximum height of the arc : 10 mm per 10 cm of
length of the cucumber)
— have a typical colouring for the variety
— be free of defects, including all deformations- and particularly those caused by seed formation.
(ii) Class I
Cucumbers in this class must be of good quality. They must :
— be reasonably developed
— be reasonably well shaped and practically straight (maximum height of the arc : 10 mm per
10 cm of the length of cucumber).
The following defects are allowed :
— a slight deformation, but excluding that caused by seed formation
— a slight defect in colouring, especially the light coloured part of the cucumber where it
touched the ground during growth
— slight skin blemishes due to rubbing and handling or low temperatures, provided that such
blemishes have healed and do not affect the keeping quality.
No L I 50/24 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 6. 88
(iii) Class II :
This class includes cucumbers which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy
the minimum requirements specified above. However, they may have the following defects :
—- deformations other than serious seed development,
— defects in colouring up to one-third of the surface ; in the case of cucumbers grown under
protection,
considerable defects in colouring in the affected part are not allowed,
— healed cracks,
— slight damage caused by rubbing and handling which does not seriously affect the keeping
quality and appearance.
All the defects listed above are allowed for straight and slightly crooked cucumbers.
Oji the other hand, crooked cucumbers are allowed only if they have no more than slight defects
in colouring and have no defects or deformation other than crookedness.
Slightly crooked cucumbers may have a maximum height of the arc of 20 mm per 10 cm of
length of the cucumber.
Crooked cucumbers may have a greater arc and must be packed separately.
(iv) Class ///('):
This class includes cucumbers which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher classes but satisfy
the requirements specified for Class II. However, crooked cucumbers may have all the defects
allowed in Class II for straight and slightly crooked cucumbers and they must be packed separately.
III. PROVISIONS CONCERNING SIZING
Sizing is determined by the weight of the cucumber.
(i) Cucumbers grown in the open must weigh 180 g or more. Cucumbers grown under protection must
weigh 250 g or more.
(ii) Moreover, 'Extra' Class and Class I cucumbers grown under protection weighing :
— 500 g or more must be not less than 30 cm long,
— between 250 and 500 g must be not less than 25 cm long.
(iii) Sizing is compulsory for classes 'Extra' and I.
The difference in weight between the heaviest and lightest cucumbers in the same package must not
exceed :
— 100 grams where the lightest piece weighs between 180 and 400 grams,
— 150 grams where the lightest piece weighs 400 grams or more.
(iv) The provisions concerning sizing are not applicable to 'short cucumbers'.
IV. PROVISIONS CONCERNING TOLERANCES
Tolerances in respect of quality and size are allowed in each package for produce not satisfying the
requirements for the class indicated.
A. Quality tolerances :
(i) 'Extra ' Class :
5 % by number of cucumbers not satisfying the requirements for the class but meeting the
requirements for Class I, or exceptionally coming within the tolerances for that class.
(ii) Class I :
10 % by number of cucumbers not satisfying the requirements for the class but meeting the
requirements for Class II, or exceptionally coming within the tolerances for that class.
(iii) Class II :
10 % by number of cucumbers satisfying neither the requirements for the class nor the
minimum requirements, to the exclusion of produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as
to make it unfit for consumption. Within this tolerance a maximum of 2 % by number of
cucumbers may have tips with a bitter taste.
