Most often, we do not think about where these or other food products originated. But absolutely in vain, because sometimes the most common vegetables or fruits can be a unique and unique phenomenon of Mother Nature. For example, we all believe that the usual carrot has a bright orange, or at least a yellow, color. In coloring, even a shade is such - carrot.
History of purple carrots
But the scientists found that initially the carrot was purple. This is evidenced by archaeological excavations and rock paintings, which have survived to our time. So purple carrots - it's not genetically modified product, but a real natural vegetable, which was grown by people in ancient times. At that time, this root was not used for food, but belonged to the category of medicinal herbs.
Later, varieties of colored carrots were released : pink, white, green and even black. Purple carrot was very popular until about the 18th century. A variety of orange carrots familiar to us was derived by Dutch breeders. Tasty and useful root crops of bright orange color have gained popularity in Europe, and then in the whole world.
What is the use of purple carrots?
Today purple carrots are gaining popularity. This is due to the fact that modern people are not only thinking about the taste of vegetables, but also about the benefits that root crops can bring to the human body. Scientists have established that carrots of purple are ideal for daily use due to the unique perfectly balanced vitamin-mineral composition of this vegetable.
Purple carrots saturate the human body with a variety of useful natural compounds. In addition, it has an extremely beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system of a person and helps to strengthen its immunity .
An unusual purple root is given to alpha-and beta-carotene, which in our body turns into vitamin A, necessary for health. At the same time, the body produces anthocyanin, which protects us from cancer. Purple carrot is extremely useful for our eyesight. Also this powerful natural antioxidant struggles with the processes of aging of the body.
Purple carrots are more sweet to taste and are more juicy compared to orange fruits. Therefore, it produces a delicious juice, which is used in the preparation of various desserts. In addition, a beautiful and bright vegetable is used to decorate different dishes.
Varieties of purple carrots
Since purple carrots for us are still novel, there are only a few varieties of this vegetable that are cultivated in Europe, Russia, Ukraine:
- Violet haze F1 - the fruits of this hybrid have a dark purple color on the outside and an orange color inside the root crop. The variety is early maturing: it grows within 70 days
up to 30 cm in length. Has resistance to many diseases. - Purple dragon - an exquisite variety of purple carrots are characterized by a sweet and slightly spicy taste. Outside, the roots are red-violet, and the flesh is orange-yellow. They grow up to 25 cm in length.
- Cosmic Purple is an early-ripening hybrid with bright purple roots outside and orange inside. Very sweet and crunchy fruit up to 20 cm in length. For its cultivation, cool conditions are preferable.
- Rainbow mix - a variety of colored carrots, the fruits of which are pink, yellow, purple and red. Root crops have a cylindrical shape, grow up to 18 cm in length.