Red Beets
Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 47.01
This item was last sold on : 12/08/24
Description/Taste
Red beets vary in size, typically averaging 3-7 centimeters in diameter, and have a globular to ovate shape with a small taproot extending from the non-stem end. The firm skin is dark red to purple and is semi-smooth with tiny root hairs, russet, and scrapes covering the surface. Each beet varies in texture and shape depending on growing conditions. Underneath the surface, the flesh is a deep crimson and is dense, aqueous, and crunchy. When cooked, Red beets develop a tender, soft texture with a mildly sweet, earthy flavor. The beet plant also grows leafy stalks that are edible and have a taste similar to swiss chard.
Seasons/Availability
Red beets are available year-round.
Current Facts
Red beets, botanically classified as Beta vulgaris, are edible, underground roots that sprout tall leaves and are members of the Amaranthaceae family. The term Red beet is a broad descriptor used to encompass many different varieties of beets, including one of the most popular red cultivars known as the Detroit Red. Favored by chefs for their earthy flavor and deep crimson coloring, Red beets are cultivated primarily as a table root, used in everyday cooking in both sweet and savory preparations.
Nutritional Value
Red beets contain antioxidants known as betalains, which are pigments that give the root its dark hue, and this pigment is believed to help cleanse the body and remove toxins from the bloodstream. Red beets also contain iron, vitamins C and B6, magnesium, manganese, potassium, folate, and fiber to spur digestion and cleansing.
Applications
Red beets are popularly consumed raw in salads or are utilized in cooked applications such as roasting, steaming, frying, and boiling. It is important to note that Red beets will bleed a dark red hue when raw or cooked, and this liquid has the potential to stain surfaces and skin. The roots can be roasted and incorporated into soups, burgers, and quiche, cooked into pasta, blended into sauces, or sliced thinly into wedges and fried into chips. Red beets can also be mixed into hummus or used in baked goods such as cupcakes, cheesecake, tarts, and brownies. In addition to the roots, the leaves are also edible, commonly sautéed or used in salads, and are prized for their tender, crisp texture. Red beets pair well with fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, pears, and avocadoes, greens such as kale, spinach, arugula, and pea shoots, cheeses such as pecorino, goat, brie, and gorgonzola, pepitas, and walnuts. The roots will keep 2-3 weeks with the leaves removed and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. With the leaves still attached the roots will keep up to one week. The green leaves will only keep 1-2 days once removed from the roots and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Ancient Greece and Rome, Red beets were highly revered and were first cultivated for their leafy green stalks. These civilizations also developed methods to grow the plants year-round as the population grew to consume the leaves and occasionally the roots. In mythology, Red beets are considered an aphrodisiac as the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was rumored to have consumed the roots to enhance her attractiveness. Many Greeks also believed that eating from the same beet would cause a man and a woman to fall in love.
Geography/History
Red beets are native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa and have been growing wild since ancient times. Initially, the plant was cultivated for its leafy green tops, and the roots were often discarded or used as animal feed. Primary consumption of the root itself did not take place until the 1500s, and the discovery of the beet's high sugar content also led to its increased agricultural value, spreading the root throughout the world via immigration and trade. Today Red beets can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Humphrey's | San Diego CA | 619-224-3577 |
Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
Paradisaea Restaurant | La Jolla CA | 732-915-6669 |
Barra Oliba | San Diego CA | 610-310-5110 |
Cutwater Spirits | San Diego CA | 619-672-3848 |
Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5995 |
Valley View Casino & Hotel | Valley Center CA | 760-291-5500 |
Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
The Tavern Bar | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
Kettner Exchange | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Dining | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
San Diego Mixology | San Diego CA | 858-945-8687 |
Nomad Donuts | San Diego CA | 619-431-5000 |
Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Sago | Encinitas CA | 858-382-4047 |
Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-365-1858 |
The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
Long Story Short | San Diego CA | 619-228-9381 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
Make Stuff Good | San Diego CA | 949-547-9470 |
InterContinental San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Bea Green Cold Pressed Juice | Alpine CA | 619-398-6295 |
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines | La Jolla CA | 858-450-4581 |
Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
Hilton Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-6700 |
Merenda | Oceanside CA | 703-459-4145 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Plant Based Meals | San Diego CA | 858-255-0590 |
Webbcreationfood LLC | San Diego CA | 619-829-9194 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Cocina de Barrio NP | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
Thai One On | Carlsbad CA | 760-500-8674 |
Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
Tribute Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-220-0030 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego CA | 877-517-9340 |
Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
The Guild Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
Shogun Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
Books and Records | San Diego CA | 619-310-5298 |
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
The Lion Share | San Diego CA | 619-564-6924 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
J & Tonys | San Diego CA | 855-634-7664 |
Marisi La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 951-852-6730 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe (Banquet) | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
Echale | Encinitas CA | 303-210-2892 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
Harbor Breakfast | San Diego CA | 619-888-6586 |
Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
Huntress | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Addison Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-350-7600 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Part Time Lover | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst. | San Diego CA | 508-289-2667 |
Dot Café | San Diego CA | 914-263-1424 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd | La Jolla CA | 858-776-3246 |
Kingfisher | San Diego CA | 619-861-8074 |
Fresh Sushi Catering | Carlsbad CA | 858-344-7098 |
Garbatella Osteria Bar | Chula Vista CA | 619-651-1185 |
Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
A & M catering | San Diego CA | 206-802-8320 |
Sheldons Service Station | La Mesa CA | 619-741-8577 |
Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Slowly | San Diego CA | 858-352-6080 |
Wildland Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-385-0914 |
Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
Il Sogno Italiano | San Diego CA | 619-380-2652 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Campfire Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
Deeply Nourished | La Jolla CA | 808-489-7366 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Shimbashi Izakaya | Del Mar CA | 858-523-0479 |
Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-551-5105 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Zel's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-0076 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
RB Sushi | San Diego CA | 858-613-9000 |
Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 |
Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Isola Pizza Bar | San Diego CA | 619-564-2938 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
Little Frenchie | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
Communion | San Diego CA | 619-606-5568 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Sycuan Casino | El Cajon CA | 619-445-6002 |
The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
Copper Kings | San Marcos CA | 323-810-1662 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Graze | San Diego CA | 619-839-9852 |
Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Beets. One is easiest, three is harder.
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