There are several types of carrots, did you know? Carrots are a must-have veggie in your kitchen; this trusty and popular root vegetable is a great addition in numerous recipes, and did you know there are different types of carrots!
There are tons of different ways you can cook your carrots; these can be baked, boiled, broiled, sautéed, offering not just a pop of color but also a great taste to your dishes. The Best part about carrots? It is super good for your body because it has many health benefits. But you probably already knew that; however, not many people know that there are over 20 different types!
Carrots come from all over the world, and there are actually 24 different types, and not all are orange! Today we’ll cover all of them and much more, including how to properly store it so you can get the best out of your carrot needs at home.
Types Of Carrots
Believe it or not, carrots belong to the parsley family. These have actually developed a lot since, in the old days, carrots used to be a hardy, small and bitter thing, and not the emblematic, sweet and bright orange veggie we know today.
Like most veggies, these have their own season where they should be planted. Depending on the area, these are either cultivated in the spring or late summer. Remember that carrots need sandy and light soil to develop; if the conditions are not suitable, raised beds are recommended. Check out the different types of this veggie, which is packed with fiber, vitamins, and carotene.
Nantes
Nantes is a delicate type and a favorite of home gardeners. It is ideal for salads, juice, roast, or snack; it is so tender that it is also a great choice for pudding and carrot cake. The greens on Nantes carrots can also be consumed.
Scarlet
Scarlet carrots can grow up to be up to eight inches. It’s perfect for eating raw and presents a very consistent symmetrical appearance. It takes around 75 days to mature.
Bolero
Bolero has the ability to keep its sweet taste during storage which makes it an ideal choice for preserves or canning. Bolero which has a round appearance takes 75 days to grow and can be up to seven inches long.
Nelson
Nelson is about seven inches long, and unlike other types, it takes around 60 days to grow and thrives in heavy soil. It has a sweet flavor and a bright orange color.
Yaya
This type resembles Nelson, though, in terms of sweetness, Yaya is less sweet.
Napa
Napa does well in different soil types; it matures in around 60 days and is sweet and crunchy with a beautiful intense orange shade.
Touchon
This unique type of carrot can be grown and consumed in any size.
Parano
Parano is highly recommended as a great addition to salads and for your juice needs. It’s about seven inches long and takes 65 days to be ready.
Kaleidoscope Mix
This type offers carrots in different colors and takes about 70 days to fully mature. If you’ve ever encountered yellow, red, and purple carrots, then you’ve carrots from the Kaleidoscope Mix. The different colors result from a combination of different seeds.
White Satin
This type of carrot can be up to eight inches long, taking around 70 days to grow.
Merida
Merida carrots are an unusual type that takes over 200 days to mature; these are used to spend the winter. It is about eight inches long, has a dark shade nearly black, and has a sweet taste.
Purple Dragon
The Purple Dragon is a rare color with outwardly (purple) and another inwardly (bright orange). It contains phytochemicals making it a great addition to cooked recipes. Purple Dragon grows in 70 days and is about 10 inches long.
Cosmic Purple
This type is compared to Purple Dragon. However, Cosmic Purple retains its orange core color even after being cooked. On the outside, Cosmic Purple is of a bright violet shade.
Imperator
You’ve probably known this type as baby carrots, these are widely popular, and you can easily obtain them in the market.
Autumn King
This type certainly holds up to its name, growing a foot in length in around 70 days. This is a hybrid between the Nantes and the Chantenay types. Autumn king is probably the one you are used to getting from the market. This hardy type is fantastic in soups.
Atomic Red
This carrot produces a reddish color that darkens even after being cooked and is great for all your cooking carrot needs. You can roast it, steam it, or stir fry it. It can be up to 11 inches and contains numerous nutrients.
Chantenay
This type of carrot is named after the Chantenay area in France. It grows in around 79 days, can be about seven inches, and has a circled tip. It is quite short and chubby and a great option for numerous dishes, including glazed carrots, buttered carrots, etc.
Hercules
Hercules gets its name because it can grow where other types wouldn’t.
Red Cored Chantenay
This carrot is great in cooked dishes and salads; it holds its rich flavor and can get even sweeter if kept stored longer. Red cored Chantenay gets pretty long and grows in about 70 days.
Kuroda
Kuroda carrots are great for your juicing needs, it takes nearly 80 days to fully mature and can endure high temperatures.
Mini Carrots or Radish style carrots
This type of carrot grows fast and does well in shallow containers. These can be consumed as an appetizer, snack and are also fantastic on stews.
Romeo
Romeo is a baby carrot that, in appearance, looks like a radish. This type of carrot only grows up to two inches long. Mainly cut in circles, Romeo brings lots of flavor to your recipes.
Babette
Another baby carrot type, Babette, is smooth, has a blunt tip and circle shape. It has to be up to four inches long and a bit larger than other baby carrot types. Also known as French baby carrots, these are often enjoyed raw, offering a sweet taste and crispy texture.
Exhibition and Show Carrots
Interested in getting your carrots to win a prize? Show carrots that are winners are usually large, have no spots or blemishes, and are entirely uniform in shape.
Growing long carrots takes great care; farmers often keep their tips and tricks secret. Types of exhibition or show carrots include; Red Giant, Zino, and Flakee.
Heirloom Carrots
Golden Ball
Golden Ball carrot is more suitable for recipes where carrots are raw and not for cooked meals. It is also called Parisian Rondo and is known for growing quickly, even on heavy soil.
Oxheart/Guerande
This type originated in France around the 1870s; it gets to be about 6 inches and, if fully matured, can weigh one pound.
Danvers
Danvers has been around since the 19th century. It is popular with American gardeners and is often utilized to improve the productivity of onion farmers.
St. Valery
Also called Long Red Surrey, St. Valery has been around since the 18th century.
White Belgian
This carrot was originally cultivated on the Belgian coast after being found in the wild; it is a white carrot with a tender feel.
How To Keep Carrots Fresh?
Most of the produce we get from the market goes right into the fridge, and carrots are no exception. When buying, you should only pick carrots that are smooth, straight, firm, and bright in color. In addition, if the green tops are on, they should be of bright color, feathery, and not wilted. To keep your carrots fresh, you should store them inside the refrigerator. If properly stored, carrots can last for up to a month.
Follow these steps to store your carrots and keep them fresh:
- Cut off Carrot greens
- Place carrots in a container with a lid and cover completely in water
- Keep container in the fridge and change the water every 4-5 days
Carrot tops should be cut off before storing, and these also should go inside your fridge. You only need to wrap them in a damp paper towel to keep them moist. These should be used within days since they will quickly wilt.
How To Store Carrots, So It Stays Fresh For Longer?
You can make your carrots last longer if kept unwashed and covered. This method lets you keep your carrots for up to six months.
Follow a few simple steps:
- Stored unwashed and covered by sand
- Place in a dark, cool, well-ventilated area
Carrots can also be left in the ground, covered with mulch, and used as needed until the ground begins to freeze.
Can You Freeze Carrots?
You can absolutely keep your carrots frozen. To freeze your washed, blanched carrots, you can use freezer bags or a parchment-lined tray, and only after a couple of hours in the freezer, arrange into air-tight freezer bags. This is effective only if the broccoli is dehydrated.
If you wish to freeze carrots, follow a few simple steps:
- Wash carrots
- Peel and cut up your carrots
- Steam or blanch for a few minutes
- Dump the pieces into ice water to halt the cooking
- Drain
- Transfer into sealed freezer bags or containers
You can keep your carrots frozen for up to one year.
What To Do With Carrots Before They Go Bad?
If you notice a change in texture, smell, or color, even if it is stored in your fridge, then you should probably get rid of the carrots right away. However, before it goes bad, there are tons of ways you can enjoy this wholesome vegetable; check out below some of our favorite recipe ideas using carrots.
