Carrots are one of our favourite garden vegetables. They’re relatively cheap and available throughout the year. Carrots are very popular because of their sweet taste and they can be eaten raw or cooked. The common carrot is considered to be a ‘superfood’ because it’s super healthy and rich in nutrients – especially carotene. Therefore, we should eat them regularly. Here are some info & tips to help you enjoy them:-

Origins

Carrots originated in Central Asia, the present-day region of Iran and Afghanistan, where they began to cultivate them in the 10th century. The ancient Romans also knew a type of carrot plant, but only the hard, wild version. The original carrot was purple, yellow or white – the orange carrot the world recognizes today was developed in the Netherlands in the 17th century.

Plant

The carrot is a vegetable; we primarily consume its thickened root. They’re very easy to grow in vegetable gardens or even in containers. It is a biennial plant, which is relatively tolerant of the cold. It’s not too demanding, but does prefer loose, slightly sandy, humus-rich soil. It doesn’t require much sunshine – it can happily grow in the shade. Seeds can be sown at the end of February and harvested about four months later.

Carrot varieties

There are two basic varieties – eastern and western carrots. The eastern (or Iranian) was originally purple, but in the West they cultivated the orange version. Today you can now find purple, red, white and yellow carrots on sale – these have become trendy gastro vegetables in Western Europe.

In addition to colour, several varieties are distinguished by their shape. While the body of a normal carrot is elongated and pointed downwards, the French Chantenay carrot is small and compact while the Duwicki varieties tend to be round shaped. Blunt-ended, cylindrical types include Nanton, Gonsenheimi, Amsterdam and American varieties. In spring and early summer you can get sweet baby carrots, which are the symbol of Easter and one of the most important ingredients for Easter cooking.

Nutrients 

• Carrots are rich in nutrients and are a major source of vitamins. They have a high antioxidant carotene content – especially beta-carotene which the body converts to vitamin A.
• The root contains flavonoids; essential oils and C, B & E vitamins. Also calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, folic acid, phosphorus, iron, zinc and chromium.
In contrast to most vegetables, carrots are more nutritious cooked than raw. This is because, given the thick cell walls of the raw carrot, our bodies can utilize only 3% of the carotene content. During heating, the cell walls become loose and carotene is released.
• The calorific value of carrots 30Kcal / 100g.

Health effects

• Carotene really does help us to see; just one carrot a day can prevent developing night blindness.
• It provides protection against cardiovascular disease – reducing cholesterol in the blood. Moreover it strengthens and stimulates the immune system – its high antioxidant content protecting the body against infections and free-radicals.
• It can prevent cancer – particularly its polyacetylene content can help in the prevention of bowel cancer but it’s also effective against lung, pancreas, stomach, breast, cervix, and bladder cancers.It’s high fibre content helps bowel function and stimulates the pancreas.
• Tea made from dried leaves of carrots lowers blood pressure.
• It improves the quality and quantity of breast milk.It alkalizes the body – this is especially good for the liver and kidneys.
• Regular consumption of carrots makes our hair, skin and fingernails look radiant and it helps prevent acne.It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
• Daily consumption can reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• It regulates blood sugar levels.For centuries it was used as an aphrodisiac – no wonder, since the high content of vitamin E stimulates sperm production and increases fertility.In folk medicine its leaves have been used as diuretic tea.

Good to know

• Natural carotene in your diet is far more effective than any carotene tablets. Therefore try to eat 1-2 carrots every day!
• Unfortunately, carrots easily absorb nitrate and other toxic compounds found in fertilizers, so it’s recommended to consume organic or home-grown carrots.
• Although heat-treated carrots are more effective than raw – this is only true if they are just slightly cooked i.e. blanched or lightly steamed. They should be still crunchy and not overcooked. In addition, carrots cooked whole are healthier than sliced because less nutritional value is lost.The vast majority of the nutrients are in the skin or concentrated just below the skin so, instead of peeling, just scrub the dirt off with the rough surface of a washing-up sponge!
• Although studies show that carrots are effective against cancer – it’s also clear that you’d need a minimum of 3 kilograms per day to have a healing effect!