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Purple carrots widely vary in size and are narrow to conical in shape, tapering to a point on the non-stem end. The skin is smooth, firm, and ranges in color from dark purple to red-purple. Underneath the surface, the flesh is crisp and dense with an orange or yellow core. Purple carrots are crunchy with a snap-like quality and have an earthy, sweet flavor with undertones of celery and parsley. Depending on the variety, some Purple carrots may also have a peppery flavor. In addition to the roots, the leafy tops are also edible and have a fresh, slightly bitter, green taste.
Seasons/Availability
Purple carrots are available year-round.
Current Facts
Purple carrots, botanically classified as Daucus carota subs. Sativus, are edible, underground roots that belong to the Apiaceae family along with parsnips, celery, and parsley. Considered to be one of the first cultivated carrot colors, Purple carrots were prevalent in European and Middle Eastern markets until the orange carrot’s introduction. Purple carrots quickly disappeared from mainstream markets and remained absent for many years, but the purple roots have seen a recent resurgence in popularity due to a marketing movement to grow heirloom varieties that have almost been forgotten. There are many different varieties of Purple carrots, including Cosmic Purple, Purple Sun, Purple Haze, Purple Dragon, and Purple Dutch, and Purple carrots are favored for their unusual coloring and high nutritional properties.
Nutritional Value
Purple carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene and contain manganese, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. They also contain high levels of anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants that are being heavily researched for their potential health benefits, including anti-inflammation and pain reduction.
Applications
Purple carrots are best suited for fresh applications as their dark purple hues are showcased when sliced and served raw. The roots can be cooked, but with methods such as boiling or baking, the carrots will lose their purple hue and transform into an unappetizing grey. When raw, Purple carrots can be sliced for salads, juiced, shredded into grain bowls, or served on appetizer platters. The carrots can also be lightly sautéed or roasted to develop a sweet, caramelized flavor. In addition to the roots, the leafy tops of carrots can be blended into sauces, minced into salads, or lightly sautéed and served as a side dish. Purple carrots pair well with pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, radishes, tomatoes, cheeses such as pecorino, cheddar, and parmesan, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and potatoes. The roots will keep up to one month when stored loosely placed in a plastic bag with good air circulation in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Never store fruit along with carrots, as fruits expel ethylene gas that is readily absorbed by carrots. The carrots exposed to the ethylene gas will turn very bitter, making them not suitable for eating.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In the United States, Purple carrots were once a rare carrot color, overshadowed by the dominant orange varieties. Consumers were used to the orange carrot, and many were unwilling to shift their preferences into trying new colors. With the recent shift in the consumer market towards healthy, plant-based eating, consumers are learning about the nutritional value of eating foods with different colors. This has spurred consumers to seek out antioxidant-rich foods, which are generally purple in color, and many farmers have turned back to growing heirloom Purple carrot varieties to meet this demand. Scientists are also working to develop new Purple carrot varieties with improved flavors and increased amounts of beta-carotene.
Geography/History
Purple carrots originated over five thousand years ago in present-day Afghanistan in Central Asia. Considered to be one of the original carrots to be domesticated, many natural hybrids and mutants were developed and crossed with wild and cultivated varieties creating new cultivars varying in core color, size, and flavor. Purple carrots were then transported via seeds across Africa, Europe, and Eastern Asia and were sold during trade expeditions. Today Purple carrots are found at local farmers markets, specialty grocers, and in home gardens in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
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Purple carrots feature a striking dark-to-red-purple skin and a vibrant interior, often orange or yellow at the core. Known for their crunchy texture and earthy sweetness, they also carry subtle notes of celery and parsley, with certain varieties offering a mild peppery taste. Their leafy tops are edible, providing a fresh and slightly bitter green flavor that expands their versatility in cooking applications.
SPECIALTY PRODUCE
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(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Purple carrots pair well with a variety of ingredients to enhance their flavors and presentation. Ideal complements include pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, radishes, tomatoes, and cheeses such as pecorino, cheddar, and parmesan. They also complement garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and potatoes. To maintain their freshness, store the roots up to one month in a plastic bag with air circulation in the refrigerator's crisper drawer.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Purple carrots are botanically classified as Daucus carota subs. Sativus and are part of the Apiaceae family, which includes parsnips, celery, and parsley. Historically, they were among the first cultivated carrot colors and were prevalent in Europe and the Middle East before being overshadowed by orange carrots. These carrots have regained popularity in recent years due to efforts to revive heirloom varieties, with varieties like Cosmic Purple, Purple Sun, and Purple Haze standing out.
Specialty Produce
1929 hancock st sd ca 92110
6192953172 [email protected]
PURPLE HAZE CARROTS from
" WEISER FAMILY FARMS "…..Purple Haze Carrots trace their heritage to over five thousand years ago in present-day Afghanistan, where purple carrots were among the first domesticated varieties. These carrots evolved through natural hybrids and crosses with wild types, resulting in diverse cultivars with varied colors, sizes, and flavors. Their seeds spread globally through trade routes, reaching Africa, Europe, and Asia, and are widely available today in farmers markets and specialty stores worldwide.
Swiss Cottage Farmers Market
02078330338
Purple carrots: Once rare in the United States, purple carrots were long overshadowed by orange varieties due to consumer preference. However, today's focus on healthy, plant-based diets has sparked interest in these antioxidant-rich vegetables. Farmers are reviving heirloom varieties, and scientists are enhancing their flavor and beta-carotene content to meet growing demand.
From JR Organics…..Purple carrots have a smooth, firm skin that ranges from dark purple to red-purple, with a crisp and dense inner flesh that often features an orange or yellow core. They offer an earthy, sweet taste complemented by subtle hints of celery and parsley, and some varieties may have a peppery kick. Even the leafy tops are edible, providing a fresh, slightly bitter, green flavor.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Purple Carrots from Weiser Family Farms…..Purple carrots are visually striking when sliced raw, making them perfect for salads, grain bowls, or appetizer platters. While they can be cooked, methods like boiling or baking cause the vibrant purple color to turn grey. These carrots pair deliciously with ingredients like pomegranate seeds, hazelnuts, and cheeses such as parmesan. To preserve their flavor, avoid storing them near fruits, as ethylene gas from fruit makes carrots bitter. Store them in a plastic bag in the fridge.
From JR Organics…..Purple carrots are one of the oldest cultivated varieties of carrots, originally dominating European and Middle Eastern markets before orange carrots became widespread. Recently, they’ve regained popularity in efforts to revive heirloom vegetables. Packed with beta-carotene, anthocyanins, vitamin C, and fiber, purple carrots offer potential health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and pain, thanks to their high antioxidant content.
Rodney Kawano Farms…..Purple carrots originated over five thousand years ago in present-day Afghanistan, making them one of the earliest domesticated carrots. Their genetics led to natural hybrids and mutants with variations in color, size, and flavor. Seeds were transported globally through trade routes, spreading to Africa, Europe, and Asia. Today, they can be found in farmers markets, specialty grocers, and home gardens across multiple continents, including North America, South America, and Australia.
JR Organics…..Purple carrots were once uncommon in the United States due to the dominance of orange varieties and consumer hesitance to try new colors. Today, with the rise of plant-based diets, Purple carrots are gaining popularity for their antioxidant-rich properties. Farmers have returned to heirloom Purple carrot cultivation, and scientists are advancing new varieties with enhanced flavors and higher beta-carotene levels.
is easiest, three is harder.
