If you are wondering if you could find a different types of carrot than regular carrots, then you have come to the right place.
Of course, you are probably familiar with carrots. They are a very nutritious type of vegetable that you will be able to enjoy in a variety of dishes. This kind of vegetable also belongs to the Apiaceae family. You will be able to find that carrots are close relatives to a lot of different vegetables such as fennel, parsley, cumin, and celery.
Carrots originated from Afghanistan. What you might not know is the fact that this type of vegetable was originally white and purple, which is pretty interesting. What you recognize as carrots now, which have an orange color, were produced through breeding in the Netherlands. The orange color itself was produced by the beta-carotene, which is a pigment.
What are the Best Carrots to Grow?
One of the best things about carrots is that they are very rich in vitamins. This kind of vegetable contains a lot of fiber and carotene that can be very beneficial for your body. However, you need to remember that carrots can only be planted during a certain season. You will be able to plant them in the spring and late summer if you live in southern areas.
Well, if you want to learn more about the different types of carrot, then you need to keep reading to find out. Here are some of the different types of carrot that you need to know about.
1. Nantes Carrots
The first types of carrot that we are going to talk about is Nantes carrot. Nantes carrot is a kind of carrot that you can use in a lot of foods and even beverages. This types of carrot has an orange-red color or a bright orange color. It even has greens that you will be able to eat.
The taste of this carrot is pretty basic. You will be able to feel the grassy taste as well as the fine-grain texture from Nantes carrot. You can do a lot of things with this carrot such as roast or juice Nantes carrot. Nantes carrot is also often used for vegetarian hot dogs, carrot cake, and pudding. You can also use it in salads and appetizers.
Nantes carrot is pretty delicate. That is why a lot of commercial farmers do not plant this kind of carrot. However, you will be able to easily plant this carrot at home. You just need to make sure that you have rocky and heavy soil. This is because Nantes carrot does not twist and fork as much as other types of carrot.
2. Chantenay Carrots
Next, let’s talk about Chantenay carrots. These types of carrot are pretty unique because of their shape. They are short and stubby little carrots. As the name suggests, this kind of carrot comes from the Chantenay region in France. These carrots are approximately six to seven inches long. Other than that, they also have a rounded tip that becomes a point in the end.
What you need to know about Chantenay carrots is the fact that they grow in rocky soil. You also need to harvest them at certain times. You will find that the core of the carrot becomes woody if it sits too long on the ground. When that happens, the taste of this carrot will also be ruined.
You can use Chantenay carrots in a lot of dishes. A lot of dishes even require this specific carrot. Some of the dishes that use this kind of carrot are garlic and thyme glazed carrots, buttered Chantenay carrots, maple balsamic roasted carrots, and so many more.
Related: What should to Know Before You Harvest Carrots in Containers
3. Imperator Carrots
The next kind of carrot that we are going to tell you all about is the Imperator carrot. This is probably the kind of carrot that comes to mind if you think about the word carrot. Why? Well, because it is one of the most commonly bought carrots, especially in North America.
Imperator carrots also have a unique shape. They are long and you will be able to easily find them in your local grocery store. The good news is, you can also plant imperator carrots in your home. You just need rocky and heavy soil to be able to grow these carrots. You also need a minimum of a foot of space in your garden to be able to grow imperator carrots. Once you have that, you are all set.
4. Atomic Red Carrots
If you are looking for a unique-looking carrot, then the Atomic Red carrots are the answer for you. Yes, these carrots have a red color. This red color comes from the high levels of lycopene that this kind of carrot has. Lycopene is also found in tomatoes.
You can use Atomic Red carrots in a variety of dishes. After you cook this kind of carrot, it produces quite an intense color. The red color of this carrot will darken as you cook this carrot. Because of this unique appearance, Atomic Red carrots are often used in a lot of gourmet dishes and salads. You can either roast, stir-fry, or even steam these carrots.
Another great thing about this types of carrot is that they are very rich in nutrients. If you ever decide to plant Atomic Red carrots, you do not have to worry about anything at all. They are pretty easy to plant. You also do not have to worry about preserving or canning this carrot. They are very easy to store. That is why you might want to try planting this carrot now.
5. Danvers Carrots
The next kind of carrot on our list are Danvers carrots. The name of this carrot itself shows that it was developed in Danvers, Massachusetts. These carrots were developed during the 19th century. They usually grow pretty well in soils around New England. American gardeners also love to plant this kind of carrot.
Danvers carrots are long and skinny. These carrots also taper to a point at the end. They typically have an orange color. However, you will be able to find Danvers carrots in several other colors. One of the most unique things about Danvers carrots is the fact that they can tolerate any soil, even bad ones. That is why it is going to be very easy to grow these carrots.
6. Red-Cored Carrots
Red-cored carrots are a variety of Chantenay carrots that you will be able to find. This kind of carrot has a unique red color. That is why this kind of carrot is used as a colorful addition to salads or any other cooked dish.
These carrots are generally pretty sweet. However, you will be able to increase the sweetness of red-cored carrots. You can do this by storing them for a longer time That way, their flavor becomes even sweeter than they already were.
7. Romeo Carrots
Another kind of carrot that you can use for cooking is Romeo carrots. These carrots are a type of baby carrots that kind of look like a radish. They are shaped like radishes and even have the same size as those vegetables.
Romeo carrots are shaped like a baseball. They are also a very lovable kind of carrot because you will be able to grow them pretty easily. It is the perfect kind of carrot for a beginner gardener. These carrots have a delightful flavor. They will add that little extra punch of flavor to any of your meals.
8. Golden Ball Carrots
Next up, we have Golden Ball carrots. These carrots have been around for a while. They first appeared in the early 90s. Ever since these carrots were first developed, they have been used for garnish in a lot of dishes. You can still use this kind of carrot for several types of meals.
One of the best things about this kind of carrot is the fact that they grow pretty quickly. You also will not be able to find any problem growing these carrots in heavy soil. That is why a lot of people love planting this kind of carrot. You can use Golden Ball carrots in many dishes. They are often used in raw dishes such as salads.
Related: Grow Hydroponic Carrots from Seed in Your Backyard
9. White Belgian Carrots
Have you ever seen a white carrot? Well, you will be able to say that you have once you have seen White Belgian carrots. Yes, these carrots are white, which is very unique. These carrots were first found by Henry Vilmorin. He was walking around when he found some wild white carrots around the Belgian coast.
White Belgian carrots have several characteristics that you need to know about. Aside from having white color, they also have quite a tender texture. This makes White Belgian Carrots even more unique and distinctive than they already were.
10. Babette Carrots
The next kind of carrot that you need to know about is Babette carrots. This is another type of baby carrot that you will be able to plant in your home. You will often find this kind of carrot in various dishes that are served in finer restaurants and diners.
Babette carrots are pretty unique because of their shape and size. They have a kind of cylindrical shape that is blunt at the tip. Other than that, this kind of carrot has a smooth surface. However, Babette carrots are typically larger than other types of baby carrots.
Another funny thing about this kind of carrot is that it is also known as the French baby carrot. In reality, Babette carrots can be found in a lot of American gardens. Babette carrots also taste very sweet. They are also very crunchy, which can be nice. One thing for sure is that this kind of carrot has such a full flavor that will impress your taste buds.
11. Purple Dragon Carrots
If you are looking for another carrot with a unique color, then the Purple Dragon carrots will be perfect for you. This variety of carrots has a dark purple color that makes it very distinctive. However, once you open this carrot up, you will see that the interior core has a bright orange color. This makes Purple Dragon carrots even more unique.
Purple Dragon carrots are used in so many ways. You can use this kind of carrot in a variety of cooked dishes. What is great about these carrots is that they have a lot of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals will make your dish look very pretty. However, the color will tend as you cook this kind of carrot.
12. Bolero Carrots
Bolero carrots are a variety of Nantes carrots. These carrots are amazing because of how well they preserve their sweet flavor. Even though you have stored them for a long time, Bolero carrots remain very sweet, which is pretty amazing.
Because they stay sweet even after you store them, these carrots are perfect for canning. It is also safe to say that you will be able to store these carrots for a long time. Bolero carrots can be harvested after 75 days. They have a cylindrical shape and can grow up to seven inches long.
13. Merida Carrots
Next up, we have Merida carrots on our carrot list. This is another types of carrot that has a very distinctive color. Merida carrots are sweet carrots that have a purple color. If you live in an extremely cold area, then you need to cover these carrots with straw or mulch.
Merida carrots can be harvested after 240 days. They are usually planted in certain months, which are September and October. If you are looking for a sweet-flavored carrot, then Merida carrots are the perfect kind of carrot that you can get.
14. Autumn King Carrots
If you are looking for huge carrots, then Autumn King carrots are the ones for you. You will be able to see that this kind of carrot can get up to a foot in length. You will be able to harvest Autumn King carrots after 70 days. A lot of gardeners love this types of carrot because of how reliable it is.
What you need to know about Autumn King carrots is that they are a crossing between Nantes carrots and Chantenay carrots. They are also quite a popular kind of carrot. They will be able to grow even in clay or rocky soil. That is why a lot of gardeners love this carrot.
You will be able to use Autumn King carrots in a lot of dishes. You will even be able to find a specific dish that requires this kind of carrot. With the help of Autumn King carrots, you will be able to make the Autumn carrot and sweet potato soup, which is very delicious.
15. Hercules Carrots
The next kind of carrot that we are going to talk about are Hercules carrots. The name of this carrot itself is already pretty unique. And that name was not given to this kind of carrot for nothing, which makes this carrot even more interesting.
You all know that Hercules is very strong. Well, Hercules carrots are also named such because of how strong they are. These carrots can thrive in any type of soil. A lot of carrots struggle to survive in clay soils.
However, Hercules carrots can thrive in that type of soil. So, if you are looking for a carrot that can grow in any condition, then Hercules carrots are the perfect answer for you.
Other than clay soils, you will also be able to grow this kind of carrot in other types of soil. Hercules carrots can thrive in rocky soil as well. You can harvest these carrots after 65 days of planting them. That is why this kind of carrot is very ideal for a lot of gardeners.
16. Cosmic Purple Carrots
The last kind of carrot that we are going to tell you all about is the Cosmic Purple carrots. From the name itself, you can tell how unique this carrot probably is. Well, Cosmic Purple carrots have a bright purple color that is very eye-catching.
What Types of Carrots Grow ?
If you are interested in planting carrots, then you need to know that they require sandy soil and light to be able to grow properly. This is because carrots are root crops. They will not be able to grow properly in clay or compact soil. That is why you will probably need raised beds if you do not have a suitable type of soil to grow carrots. This is important since trying to grow carrots in inappropriate soil can lead to deformities and forked roots.
Another thing that you might not know about carrots is the fact that you will be able to find different types of this vegetable out there. What is unique about the different types of carrots is that not all of them are orange, which is not very surprising.
Another eye-catching thing about this carrot is that they have a bright orange color inside. Once you cut this carrot, you will be able to see the bright orange interior that will blow your mind. What is interesting about this carrot is that the purple color will still hold, even after you cook it. That is why this types of carrot is pretty amazing.
Which are the Healthiest Carrots?
The healthiest carrots is Purple Carrots, Purple carrots are not just purple. They’re loaded with anthocyanins and beta carotene, compounds that give them their deep color. But even better than being loaded with healthy phytonutrients, these purple carrots are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins, meaning they have the potential to boost immunity and fight cancer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, There are several different types of carrots. However, each type has the same goal, which is to help people eat healthier. In fact, when you look at the carrot as a whole, it becomes more than just a single food. It becomes an ingredient that goes into all of your food.