CAFFARELLI CUCUMBERS

Heritage

The Caffarelli story begins with one of the great untold migrations in British food history. In the early 20th century, families of market gardeners from Sicily, carrying surnames such as Caffarelli, Pullara, Cannatella and Colletti, settled in England and brought with them generations of expertise in growing cucumbers, an Italian speciality crop largely unfamiliar to British growers at the time. A few generations on, their descendants are still in the business today, and many of the cucumbers found in British supermarkets and restaurants trace their lineage directly back to these Sicilian growing families.

The Caffarelli family themselves have been cultivating what they proudly describe as “English cucumbers with an Italian flavour” at Floral Farm in Cambridgeshire for four generations, supplying exclusively for many years. Fourth-generation grower Mark Caffarelli continues this tradition of innovation, experimenting with unique varieties including micro snack cucumbers, large cucamelons, and Asian wok cucumbers, having become the first UK grower to cultivate this specialist cooking variety commercially.

Beyond the classic naked cue, the Caffarelli family also grows Italian heirloom varieties such as the round, sweet Barattiere, prized for its easy digestibility, and the pale green Tortarello. The cucumbers are planted, maintained and picked entirely by hand across vast glasshouses, while a state-of-the-art UK-based computer system regulates temperature, irrigation and ventilation with precision. The farm has invested £350,000 in biomass systems to reduce its carbon footprint, operates entirely pesticide-free using natural biological pest control, and sources all fuel from within a 50-mile radius, making Caffarelli cucumbers as responsibly grown as they are exceptionally flavoured.

Nutritional Profile

Your health-conscious diners will appreciate what wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers bring to the table:

• Exceptionally hydrating – approximately 95% water content, among the most hydrating vegetables available

• Genuinely low in calories – around 15 calories per 100g

• Good source of vitamin K – providing roughly 14-20% of the daily value per 100g, supporting bone health and blood clotting

• Contains potassium – supporting healthy blood pressure and muscle function

• Provides small amounts of vitamin C – supporting immunity and skin health

• Contains folate – supporting cell renewal

• Naturally low in sodium and virtually fat-free

The exceptionally high water content of wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers makes them a genuinely refreshing addition to any summer menu, delivering hydration and light nutrition without adding calorific weight to a dish.

Chef’s Corner

Caffarelli cucumbers deliver a sweetness and depth of flavour that sets them clearly apart from standard glasshouse varieties, with a creamy texture that holds up beautifully in both raw and lightly prepared dishes. Their thin, tender skin rarely needs peeling, preserving both flavour and visual appeal. When sourcing wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers, look for firm, glossy skin with no soft spots, a fresh clean aroma, and a genuinely heavy feel for their size, indicating peak freshness from recent hand-picking.

Here’s how London chefs are making the most of this British treasure:

Raw Applications:

• Slice thinly into refined salads where the natural sweetness can shine

• Spiralise into delicate “noodles” for chilled summer dishes

• Feature in Chinese-style smashed cucumber salads, torn rather than cut for maximum dressing absorption

• Use whole or in spears alongside charcuterie and cheese boards

Cooked Applications:

• Quick-pickle in a light vinegar brine for a sharp, refined garnish

• Blend into chilled soups or gazpacho for a naturally sweet, cooling base

• Sauté briefly with butter and dill for an unexpected warm side dish

• Blend into tzatziki-style dips, letting the creamy flesh add extra richness

Preparation Tips: Trim the stem end generously, as any residual bitterness concentrates there, though Caffarelli varieties are notably milder than standard cucumbers. For salads where excess moisture is undesirable, salt sliced cucumber lightly and drain for 20 to 30 minutes before dressing. Use promptly after cutting, as the delicate flesh loses its characteristic crispness more quickly than tougher, standard varieties. Understanding these techniques helps you maximise the value of your wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers order.

Complementary Ingredients

Building dishes around wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers? These pairings work brilliantly:

• Dill – the classic aromatic pairing, particularly in pickled preparations

• Mint – bringing freshness to salads and infused water

• Feta and goat’s cheese – balancing sweetness with salty, tangy contrast

• Lemon – brightening and lifting natural flavour

• Yoghurt – forming the base for cooling dips and sauces

• Red onion – adding sharp, crunchy contrast

• Olive oil – enriching simple salad preparations

• Chilli – adding gentle heat and balance

We can coordinate your British speciality produce order when you buy wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers from Rushtons.

Wholesale Caffarelli Cucumbers from Rushtons

As one of the most distinctive speciality vegetables in our wholesale range, Caffarelli cucumbers help you create dishes that celebrate genuine British-Italian growing heritage and exceptional flavour. We work directly with this trusted fourth-generation family grower, whose meticulous, sustainable methods define quality across every glasshouse.

What makes ordering wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers from Rushtons the right choice?

• Premium British-grown cucumbers from a single trusted fourth-generation family

• Exceptionally sweet, creamy flesh with genuine flavour depth

• Grown pesticide-free with responsible, low-carbon farming practices

• Hand-picked and handled with care to preserve freshness

• Expert guidance on storage and preparation

• Perfect coordination with other British seasonal produce

• Six-day-a-week delivery across London

Often regarded as a genuinely different class of cucumber, wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers bring flavour depth, provenance and a compelling growing story to modern seasonal menus.

Browse our fresh produce wholesale collection to explore our complete range of British seasonal vegetables.

Ring us to check wholesale Caffarelli cucumbers availability and pricing. This is premium British produce from a single specialist grower with strong demand among chefs seeking genuine flavour and provenance, so advance ordering helps secure availability throughout the season. We deliver throughout London six days a week.