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Carrot remains one of the most widespread and useful vegetable crops. There are many hybrids on display today. They differ in size, ripening period, taste and even color. In addition to the usual orange carrots, you can grow yellow, red, white and purple roots on your site.
What determines the color of vegetables
As noted, vegetables can come in a wide variety of colors. Colored carrots are distinguished by the content of other plant pigments. These substances not only give the fruit color, but also have a positive effect on the body. The following shows which pigments form the color of carrots and other vegetables.
- Carotene (provitamin A) gives fruits Orange color.
- Lutein is responsible for yellow coloration.
- Anthocyanin forms violet, magenta and black colors.
- Lycopene imparts a rich red tint.
- Betaine causes coloration in burgundy color.
These substances are beneficial for the human body. They improve the condition of blood vessels, stimulate immunity, improve vision and act as antioxidants.
Varieties of yellow, white and red carrots have stable colors. But purple roots lose their color when cooked. Therefore, they are more often used for salads and cold dishes. It is worth considering that purple carrot dyes all products it comes into contact with.
Some varieties are purple
Colorful vegetables decorate dishes and salads. There are many varieties of purple carrots. Some varieties have an orange core, others are evenly colored. The following is an overview of the most common names.
Dragon
This purple carrot has an orange core. Refers to early maturing varieties. The length of the root crop is 20-25 cm, the diameter is up to 3 cm. The shape is elongated, conical. It has a pleasant, spicy taste. Has an unusual aroma that passes during the preparation process.
Purple haze f1
This hybrid is characterized by the same color: a purple surface and an orange core. As a result of heat treatment, the color is lost. Therefore, the fruits are recommended for fresh consumption.
Purple sun f1
The hybrid bears fruit that is entirely purple. The plant resists disease. Carrots are high in antioxidants. Excellent taste, often used for juicing.
Cosmic purple
The plant bears fruits that are purple on the outside with an orange core. One of the most common varieties. Differs in a short ripening period.
Varieties of yellow carrots
Yellow carrots taste sweeter than orange carrots. Home-cooked dishes will look more elegant if they contain solar rings or cubes. This supplement will make the vitamin salad more appetizing for babies. To grow yellow carrots, you need to stock up on the seeds of the following varieties.
Yellowstone
These root vegetables have a canary yellow color. Carrots are consumed both fresh and stewed. Refers to late varieties. Root crops are large - about 20-25 cm, weight is on average 200 g. They grow in the form of a spindle. They are distinguished by high productivity.
Solar yellow
The variety bears fruits of bright yellow color. Carrots grow 16-19 cm in length. It has a juicy and crunchy flesh.
Jaune De Doubs
This variety of carrots originated from France and has a long history.Fruits are yellow, evenly colored. They grow in the form of a cone, rather large - about 15-30 cm. They have an excellent taste - sweet and juicy. Carrots are well stored, they are used both fresh and for cooking.
Amarillo
A variety of carrots with an intense yellow color. Root crops are evenly colored. A great addition to summer vitamin salads. Fruits grow from 12 to 17 cm long. They have juicy and crispy flesh. They are well preserved.
Mirzoi
Another variety of bright yellow carrots. It is evenly colored, has a slightly sweet taste. Root crops grow about 15 cm long. Ripen within 80 days. It is used for the preparation of salads, pilaf and other dishes. Suitable for children's kitchen.
White varieties and their differences
White varieties of carrots may differ in shade. Their flesh is sweet and crunchy anyway. These vegetables are a great addition to summer salads and other dishes.
White satin f1
This white carrot variety is considered one of the best. The root crop has a snow-white color, a flat surface. The pulp is juicy, has a sweet taste, and crunches pleasantly.
Lunar white
One of the recently bred varieties. It brings rather large roots, they reach 30 cm in length. The surface is almost white, the flesh is tender, pleasant to the taste. The crop can be harvested both ripe and very young.
Crème de Lite ("Pure cream")
The variety produces evenly colored, creamy fruits. Possesses sweet, juicy pulp. The variety is early maturing. Carrots grow to a length of 25 cm, while they need no more than 70 days. The plant resists many diseases. Root crops are elongated, taper closer to the roots. Used for salads and other dishes.
Characteristics of red carrots
If you want to grow red carrots on your site, surprise friends and relatives, you should pay attention to the varieties listed below.
Red samurai
This carrot variety comes from Japan. Has a deep red color, evenly colored. The core and outer surface practically do not differ in tone. Has a pleasant, sweet taste, not too crunchy flesh. The fruits ripen within 100-110 days. The size of carrots is up to 20 cm. The variety is widely used in the kitchen. Used for salads, pilaf, juices, soups. It is also used in traditional medicine.
Atomic red
The variety continues the parade of varieties of red carrots. Has a coral shade, which becomes even more intense after heat treatment. The root vegetable grows up to 25-27 cm in length. The carrots are fragrant and crispy. Grows well when the weather is cool.
How to diversify the garden: unusual varieties
In addition to red, purple and yellow carrots, you can plant varieties that produce black or multi-colored fruits.
Black Jack
This variety of carrots has a rich black color, the roots are evenly colored. Taste with a sweetish undertone. Carrots grow up to 30 cm in length and take 120 days to ripen. The pulp is not very firm. Root vegetables can be used for juices and main courses.
Rainbow
In fact, it is not a separate cultivar, but a mixture of carrot seeds of different colors. Includes Lunar White, Atomic Red, Solar Yellow and Cosmic Purple. As a result, a real carrot rainbow grows in the garden.
Useful tips for growing colored carrots
Popular varieties include Cosmic Purple, which produces fruits with purple rind and orange flesh. It belongs to the early maturing varieties, it grows better when the air is cool. This is not only healthy, but also an original vegetable. It is recommended to use it fresh so that the fruits do not lose color and vitamins.
The seeds are pre-soaked, then planted in open ground. Taking into account the peculiarities of this variety, they can be sown as early as the beginning of spring. The first harvest ripens in 70 days.
These plants require:
- moderate moisture;
- loosening the soil;
- cool air (in extreme heat, the root crop is deformed);
- before planting, digging up the soil to a depth of 30 cm (important for the growth of straight carrots);
- sowing seeds in rows with an interval of 5 mm, between rows make a spread of about 35 cm;
- thinning of seedlings;
- dusting root crops with earth, when the top, as it grows, is shown above the soil (will help to avoid greening).
To make your summer salads colorful and original, it is worth sowing carrots of different colors in the garden. In addition to the traditional orange, yellow, red or purple roots can be grown. For interest, seeds of varieties of different colors are sometimes mixed in equal proportions. Then each extracted root crop will be a surprise for the gardener.
