Celebrating World Cucumber Day

YES, there is such a day in the world calendar. And in the Philippines, its celebration on a particular day of June is headed by Hendrick’s Gin, which shared with TheManilaTimes the history of this unique occasion.

Cucumber Day was invented by horticulturists in England in 2011 to extol the virtues of the gallant fruit, which has long given ample opportunity for expressive experimentation that pleases both the eye and the palate.

This year, Hendrick’s Gin is marking Cucumber Day by spreading good cheer and uplifting spirits amid the “new normal” that took the world by surprise.

On June 20, the company uploaded first-ever augmented reality game, “The Cucumber Horticulturist,” which is now available on www.worldcucumberday.asia. The game allows players to earn currency through cultivating cucumbers from the comfort of their own home. Plant the seeds of delightful peculiarity and get the chance to win discounts off future purchases.

To win the game, simply grow the cucumber plant by collecting falling water droplets on the screen. But steer away from the roses! A stray petal can bring the round to a thorny end. With enough water gathered in the pot, the player will be able to grow a majestic vine with fruits ripe for the picking.

At the launch of this virtual game, Charmaine Thio, Hendrick’s Southeast Asia ambassador, declared, “There would be no Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic without the cucumber, and we dedicate a day each year to celebrate its wondrous possibilities. World Cucumber Day is an opportunity for us to showcase the versatility of the noble fruit as real currency that adds delight and whimsy to our lives especially in these unfamiliar times.”