What are the grade classifications of cucumber?
According to the USDA, here are the grade classifications of cucumber:
Grade | Classification |
|---|---|
U.S. Fancy | Consists of cucumbers that are well-colored, well-formed, not overgrown, and which are fresh, firm, and free from decay, sunscald, and from injury caused by scars and from damage caused by yellowing, sunburn, dirt or other foreign material, freezing, mosaic or other disease, insects, cuts, bruises, mechanical or other means. The maximum diameter of each cucumber shall be not more than 2-3/8 inches, and the length of each cucumber shall be not less than 6 inches. |
U.S. Extra No. 1 | It consists of a combination of U.S. Fancy and U.S. No. 1 cucumber: Provided, that at least 50 percent of the cucumbers in the lot shall meet the requirements of the U.S. Fancy grade, and the remainder shall meet the requirements of the U.S. No. 1 grade. The maximum diameter of each cucumber shall be not more than 2-3/8 inches, and the length of each cucumber shall be not less than 6 inches. |
U.S. No. 1 | Consists of cucumbers which are reasonably well-colored, fairly well-formed, not overgrown, and which are fresh, firm, and free from decay, sunscald, and from damage caused by scars, yellowing, sunburn, dirt or other foreign materials, freezing, mosaic, or other disease, insects, cuts, bruises, mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, each cucumber’s maximum diameter shall be not more than 2- 3/8 inches, and the length of each cucumber shall be not less than 6 inches. |
U.S. No. 1 Small | It consists of cucumbers that meet all requirements for the U.S. No. 1 grade except for size. The diameter of each cucumber shall be not less than 1-1/2 inches or more than 2 inches. There are no requirements for length. |
U.S. No. 1 Large | It consists of cucumbers that meet all requirements for the U.S. No. 1 grade except for size. The minimum diameter of each cucumber shall be not less than 2-1/4 inches and, unless otherwise specified, each cucumber’s length shall be not less than 6 inches. There are no maximum diameter and length requirements. |
U.S. No. 2 | Consists of cucumbers which are moderately colored, not badly deformed, not overgrown, and which are fresh, firm, free from decay, and free from damage caused by freezing, sunscald, cuts, and from serious damage caused by scars, yellowing, sunburn, dirt, or other foreign material, mosaic or other disease, insects, bruises, mechanical or other means. Unless otherwise specified, each cucumber’s maximum diameter shall be not more than 2-3/8 inches, and the length of each cucumber shall be not less than 5 inches. |
For detailed standards, please refer to this document