What are the best cucumbers for eating fresh and in salads?

Slicing cucumbers are the best cucumbers for fresh eating. Slicing cucumbers generally grow about 8 inches long and have tender, non-bitter skins, a sweet flavor and small seed cavities. Pickling cucumbers are usually short and blocky. When choosing slicing cucumber varieties to grow in the garden, look for qualities such as yields and disease resistance as well as flavor.