Overview – Fast Facts
Daucus carota is a member of the Umbelliferae (parsley) family along with celery, fennel, cumin, and dill.
• Carrots were reportedly first grown in Rome in the third century, then in Afghanistan before being cultivated by the Dutch. Early varieties were purple until our ‘modern’ orange version was cultivated in the Netherlands.
• There are dozens of carrot varieties worldwide, in several widths, colors, and lengths.
• Color variations other than orange include white, yellow, reddish-hued, purple, and nearly black.
• In a recent study by the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center on consumer reaction to new ‘designer’ carrots, including purple, yellow, and white varieties, “Purple Haze” and “Cosmic Purple” were among the most popular
Varieties
There are dozens of carrot varieties, among the most popular are Amsterdam (mini), Belgian White, Caro, Cello (Big Sur, Maverick), Chantenay (Condor, Convert, Gold King), Danvers (Bolero, Eagle, Goliath), Doucer, Flakee, Gold, Imperator (Apache, Blaze, Choctaw, Navajo, Sherbert),
U.S. Grades & Tolerances
Bunched
U.S. No. 1: 10 – 5 – 1
U.S. Commercial: 20 – 10 – 1
Topped:
U.S. Extra No. 1: 10 – 5 – 1
U.S. No. 1: 10 – 5 – 2
U.S. No. 1 Jumbo: 10 – 5 – 2
U.S. No. 2: 10 – 2
Storage Conditions
• Optimal temperature – 32° F
• Humidity – 98 to 100%
• Storage – 10 to 14 days (bunched);
3 to 4 weeks (fresh-cut)
• Sensitive to ethylene
• May use top ice
