TinyVeggies™ Beet
Estimated Inventory, 50 ct : 3.00
This item was last sold on : 11/05/24
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Description/Taste
Tiny Veggies™ Beets are very small in size, measuring approximately two centimeters in diameter, and each beet is attached to long slender stems with small, variegated green and red leaves. The beets are deep burgundy with a round to tear-drop shape, and there are fine roots and hairs attached sporadically along the end of the beet. They have a firm and crisp interior texture when raw, that softens and becomes creamy when cooked. Tiny Veggies™ Beets have a rich, earthy, and vegetal smell similar to wet soil. When cooked the tiny roots have a strong earthy and sweet flavor with a mild bitterness from the leaves.
Seasons/Availability
Tiny Veggies™ Beets are available year-round.
Current Facts
Tiny Veggies™ Beets are part of a proprietary line of specialty micro-vegetables grown by Fresh Origins farm in northern San Diego, California. The miniature taproots are harvested when they’re smaller than a quarter, maintaining a tender, sweet, and earthy flavor and crisp leaves. Red beets, botanically classified as Beta vulgaris, are a leafy vegetable harvested for its deep red taproots. The plant is a member of the Amaranthaceae family and is related to spinach and Swiss chard. Fresh Origins developed their Tiny Veggies™ as an accompaniment to their microgreens line. Currently the company grows over 20 different vegetables in their Tiny Veggies™ line with an emphasis on visually appealing and flavorful varieties. Tiny Veggies™ beets can be consumed fully, including the leaves and stems, and are best enjoyed cooked. The vegetables are favored by chefs as an elevated crudité, garnish, or side dish.
Nutritional Value
Tiny Veggies™ Beets contain a variety of nutrients including vitamins C, B-6, B-9, A, and K. These vitamins support many functions within the body including the immune system, blood clotting, cardiovascular health, and reproduction. The roots also contain a high level of nitrites, compounds that aid with blood flow and oxygen delivery. Red Beets contain a moderate amount of boron, a compound that aids in the production of human reproductive hormones, leading to the vegetable’s use as an aphrodisiac in Ancient Greece and Rome.
Applications
Tiny Veggies™ Beets are fully edible and were designed to be enjoyed raw or cooked. Their small stature makes them the perfect garnish for tray passed hors d’oeurves. The roots can be tossed into salads, floated atop pureed soups, folded into chilled grain dishes, or rolled in spring rolls. Tiny Veggies™ Beets are the ideal addition to a crudité platter, with a sweet and earthy flavor that pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces. The micro-vegetables can also be roasted, blanched, or sauteed and served as a side dish with roasted mushrooms, grilled steak, or seared fish. Tiny Veggies™ Beets pair with a variety of vegetables including leafy greens such as arugula, spinach, and endive, other root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and parsnips, mushrooms, garlic, and brassicas including mustard greens, kale, kohlrabi, and broccoli. The root vegetable also pairs well with poultry, lamb, and steak, as well as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sunchokes. Tiny Veggies™ Beets should be refrigerated for best quality and will keep up to 7 days when stored in an air-tight container.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Red Beets are one of the main ingredients in the popular Ukrainian soup, Borscht. The roots of the dish stretch across many Eastern European cultures. The name ‘borscht’ is derived from an old Slavic word for ‘hogweed’. This wild plant which was the original main ingredient of the soup was fermented to give the broth a sour taste. When the soup reach Ukraine in the 16th century, locals began creating their own variation of the soup by adding beets. The red taproots were not only affordable and nutritious but also added a sweet and earthy flavor to balance the soups sourness. Overtime Borscht wove itself into the fabric of Ukrainian society. The recipe for the soup became a family tradition that was passed down from generation to generation and that varied from household to household. The hearty soup takes center stage at major celebrations and family events and is one of the twelve traditional dishes served during the Christmas celebration. The soup also holds significance during wedding celebrations. In the Podillya region, the third day of a wedding is known as “do nevistky – na borshch” which means to “visit the daughter-in-law to eat borscht”. The importance in Ukrainian culture of celebrating with borscht is so significant it was officially recognized by UNESCO in 2022.
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. Consumption of the root itself did not take place until the 1800s, 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. Tiny Veggies™ Beets are a proprietary micro-vegetable grown by Fresh Origins Farms in San Marcos, California. Fresh Origins uses the mild, Southern California climate to grow their Tiny Veggies™ year-round. Fresh Origins farm was established in 1995 and has become the culinary industry’s leading producer of microgreens, petite greens, and edible flowers. The farm closely partners with chefs to create innovative varieties with unique flavors, and they also work closely with third party auditing programs to ensure the highest level of food safety at their farm and production areas. Today Tiny Veggies™ Beets can be found through select distribution partners of Fresh Origins across the United States and Canada, including Specialty Produce.
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