Snack and pickling cucumber `Fin de Meaux` - Seeds - French classic among cornichons

The 'Fin de Meaux' cucumber is a historic French variety and the undisputed classic among cornichons. This open-pollinated specialty is characterized by its countless small, dark green, and heavily warty fruits. It stands out for its extremely firm, crunchy flesh, which retains its perfect texture even after pickling. For lovers of traditionally pickled gherkins, this variety is an essential choice for the vegetable garden due to its authentic, intense flavor and enormous yield.

Package contents: 10 seeds each

'Fin de Meaux' is a vigorous, vining annual plant. Although it can trail on the ground, cultivation on a trellis or netting is recommended, which makes harvesting the small fruits much easier and keeps the leaves healthy. The location must be full sun, warm, and sheltered from the wind. Deeply loosened, humus-rich soil with a very good supply of nutrients is essential. Targeted soil enrichment with high-quality, mature compost or a well-balanced, well-draining substrate will pay off with rich flowering. Water regularly and exclusively in the root zone; wet foliage must be avoided at all costs.

The secret to this variety lies in early and very regular harvesting. For original French cornichons, the fruits are harvested at a length of just 3 to 5 cm (about finger-thick). If they are left to grow slightly larger (approx. 8 to 10 cm), they are perfect as classic gherkins. The plant must be picked every 2 to 3 days; the more young fruits are removed, the more tirelessly the plant produces new blossoms. It is the ideal variety for pickling in vinegar with mustard seeds, dill, onions, and tarragon.

The variety has its roots in 19th-century France and is named after the town of Meaux, east of Paris, which was historically world-famous for its outstanding mustard and cornichon production. It represents a piece of living culinary history and was specifically selected for preservation and fine French cuisine.