That's how the mini carrot came to be! Unexpected, needless to say. I thought this was a special variety...

Little carrot

The mini carrot first appeared in the early 80s thanks to Californian farmer Mike Yurozek. One day, a chain of grocery supermarkets, where he supplied vegetables, refused to accept a large batch of carrots, citing their unmarketable appearance: many of the root vegetables were forked and twisted together, and some turned out to be too thin or short.

The harvest could go to waste, so Mike began to think hard about how to sell substandard goods. And then he came up with a brilliant idea: he carefully washed and peeled the carrots, and then cut them into small neat cylinders using a coffee bean cutter, after which he packed them into small packages.

The resourceful farmer's idea paid off one hundred percent. Small carrots began to be in high demand and hundreds of other entrepreneurs began to produce a similar product. By 1987, its share in grocery stores reached 30%. And today in the United States, mini carrots account for more than 70% of retail sales.

After harvesting, all carrots are sorted depending on their appearance. The most beautiful specimens are sold untouched, while fruits that are too small or spoiled are disposed of or used as animal feed. The remaining root vegetables are used to make mini carrots.

To disinfect, all carrots are thoroughly washed in a weak chlorine solution (its concentration is lower than in tap water). After this, the root vegetables are cut into small pieces and cleaned in a special machine. The finished mini-carrots are washed with clean water and packaged in plastic packaging.

If a white coating appears on a mini-carrot, this indicates that it has simply dried out a little, and you can eat it without any fear.

An average slice of mini carrot contains about 5 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrates, and does not contain a gram of fat. Carrots are also a rich source of vitamin A: just one piece provides up to 30% of the daily requirement of carotene.

The beneficial properties of baby carrots are practically no different from those of full-fledged carrots. Only due to cleaning does its concentration of vitamins decrease slightly.

As you can see, mini carrots are practically no different from regular ones, so you can safely buy them in the form that you like best.

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Description of the mini carrot variety

Mini carrots are a special variety, distinguished by their miniature fruit and short ripening period. This vegetable is often called children's or baby carrots.

Reference. In some cases, mini-carrots are an ordinary root vegetable that has not reached its full size and is harvested before full maturity.

The best varieties of mini carrots

Among the variety of varieties, the following stand out:

Caracas is an early cold-resistant variety. Suitable for cultivation on an industrial scale: the powerful leaf apparatus is convenient for harvesting with a pulling-type combine, the variety is undemanding in terms of thinning.
Karotel is a mid-season, bolting-resistant variety. It takes 100-110 days from germination to full ripening. Suitable for winter sowing. Cone-shaped fruits from 9 to 15 cm long and weighing 80-160 g. They have good keeping quality and transportability.
Marlinka is a mid-early variety (95 days). The length of the fruit is up to 10 cm, weight – 90-170 g. They have soft and juicy pulp.
Polar cranberry is an early ripening (65 days) cold-resistant variety. Root vegetables of a non-standard round shape, like radishes. They have smooth thin skin with small eyes. Poor keeping quality, but excellent taste.
Rondo is a hybrid of Czech selection. It takes 80-85 days from germination to harvest. The roots are small (3-5 cm), round in shape. Does not give arrows, is resistant to cracking.
Khibiny greenhouse is an early ripening (54-70 days before harvesting bunched carrots, 90-100 days until full maturity) high-yielding variety, bred in the domestic Arctic. The root crop is round, small, weighing up to 35 g.

Origin and development

Mini carrots became popular in the early 1980s. Farmer Mike Yurozek from California (USA) was refused to sell a large batch of vegetables due to the fact that they were of substandard type - too thin, short, forked and twisted. To save the situation, the farmer peeled the carrots and cut them into small cylinders. In this form, the product was loved by many Americans, as it was completely ready for consumption.

This wave aroused interest in varieties of dwarf carrots that existed long before Yurozek’s “discovery”: Grelo, Davantyur. Subsequent work by breeders in different countries led to the modern variety of mini-carrots.

Chemical composition and beneficial properties

Baby carrots contain almost the same complex of vitamins and minerals as regular-sized root vegetables.

Mini carrots are rich in:

beta-carotene – 10-13 mg per 100 g of product, which is 2-2.5 times the daily requirement of an adult;
vitamin A – 2000 mcg;
vitamin C – 5 mg;
calcium – 27 mg;
potassium – 200 mg;
phosphorus – 55 mg;
iron – 0.7 mg;
copper – 800 mcg.

Unlike many other vegetable crops, carrots during heat treatment not only do not lose their beneficial properties, but increase them. Better absorption of microelements is facilitated by combining carrots with fats: dairy products or vegetable oils.

Reference. It is recommended to drink carrot juice with milk or cream before going out in the sun - the tan will acquire a beautiful shade.

Useful properties of carrots:

Beta-carotene protects the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and is responsible for its healthy appearance and smoothness.
Vitamin A improves vision.
Carrots serve as a prophylactic for iron deficiency anemia.
Indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis.
Helps cope with vitamin deficiency.

Features of application

Mini carrots are good both raw and after heat treatment. It can be used in salads, soups, vegetable stews, purees, as a side dish or filling for pies. Fresh mini carrots are great as a snack and a healthy alternative to sweets.

Fresh mini-carrots appear in stores at the very beginning of summer; at other times of the year they are sold whole frozen or canned.

Reference. Glazed mini carrots are a favorite side dish for children in France. To prepare it, peeled root vegetables are mixed with water, honey and vegetable oil. Then simmer in a hot frying pan for 7 minutes. Sprinkle the finished dish with lemon juice and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley.

Ripening time and yield

Depending on the variety, the growing season of the crop ranges from 50 to 110 days.

The small size of root crops does not prevent mini-carrots from producing a yield of 260 to 770 centners per 1 hectare of plantings.

Characteristics, description of appearance, taste

Mini carrots have a cylindrical fruit with a blunt tip. Fruit dimensions: 5-8 cm in length, 1.5-3 cm in diameter. At the same time, there are varieties with rounded roots. The high carotene content gives baby carrots their bright orange color.

Miniature root vegetables are juicy and sweet.

Disease resistance and climate requirements

Mini carrots are resistant to cracking, bolting, rot and leaf spot. The variety is characterized by great diversity, therefore it is suitable for cultivation in almost any climatic conditions:

the Marlinka variety is suitable for the Central Black Earth Region;
in the Middle Zone, the Urals and Siberia, the Caracas mini-carrot produces a harvest;
With proper care, the harsh climate of the northern regions can be tolerated by Polar cranberry and Khibiny greenhouse.

Granddaughter

Carrots of the Vnuchka variety are distinguished not only by their small size, but also by their round shape. People call it cranberry. It looks more like an orange berry. The crop can be grown in any climate zone. It is planted both in an open garden and under a film.

The plant is frost-resistant. Gardeners practice both spring sowing and planting winter crops:

the fruit grows in length and in diameter no more than 5 cm. The weight of the largest root crop is 50 g;
early culture. It takes 3 months to get full fruits;
carrots have a sweet taste without bitterness;
its core is thin, separated from the pulp by a light shell;
the fruits have a smooth surface, without eyes;
The yield per 1 m2 is 2 kg.

Carrot Granddaughter

The bushes of the Vnuchka variety are upright, grow up to 15-20 cm. When sowing, a step of 5 cm is observed. The distance between the beds is 10-12 cm. For winter crops, the soil is prepared at the end of summer. For spring sowing, all nutrient mixtures and fertilizers are introduced in the autumn.

Carrots do not require very fertile soil. The crop shows good yield on loam, which must be softened with sand or sawdust.

Why are mini carrots chlorinated in the first place?

First, chlorine kills almost all bacteria that remain in it after an unsanitary production process.

While this may seem like a positive thing, don't forget that there are many good, beneficial bacteria that are found in foods. So they die too - just like beneficial bacteria die in your body if you use chlorine.

Secondly, mini carrots are bleached to maintain their attractive appearance.

It's all a little scary, isn't it?

"Marlinka"

This is a form of mini-carrot of the “Chantane” variety, originally obtained by breeders for cultivation in the central and northern regions of the country. Domestic development. The seed has a high germination rate. The conical fruits are small. The skin is smooth, there are few eyes, and they are barely noticeable. Painted in a rich orange color.

Features of planting and growing

Growing mini carrots is in many ways similar to cultivating other varieties. The main feature is predominantly winter planting and a shorter growing season.

Preparing for landing

Seeds required before planting:

Sort. This is easy to do by placing the seed material in a saline solution (1 teaspoon of salt per 1 cup of water). Discard specimens that float to the surface, and rinse the rest in running water and dry.
Disinfect in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
When planting in regions with a cold climate, harden off: pour the seeds with water at room temperature, then place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

After each procedure, the seeds are dried so that they do not germinate ahead of time.

Soil requirements

Mini carrots are photophilous, so planting them requires a well-lit area. Other requirements include:

good drainage, since the crop does not tolerate stagnant water;
neutral soil acidity;
fertile light soil - chernozem, loam or sandy loam are ideal; in other cases, humus and peat are added to the soil a month before sowing.

Predecessors

It is better to plant carrots in an area where nightshades (tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes) or cabbage were grown. After these plants, the soil is saturated with nutrients necessary for a rich harvest.

In former cucumber beds, carrots are sown no earlier than 2 years later, otherwise excess organic matter will lead to rotting of the plantings at an early stage.

Reference. Strong odors emanating from alliums - onions, garlic, wild garlic - can repel carrot flies. To protect root crops from this pest, they practice planting these plants together.

Other umbelliferous plants (the family to which carrots belong) - parsley, dill, caraway, parsnips and celery - are considered bad predecessors because of the danger of the proliferation of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

Dates, scheme and rules of planting

For winter planting, choose the middle - end of November. Earlier planting is fraught with germination of seeds and the appearance of seedlings that will die when the first frost occurs. Overwintered mini-carrots will produce a harvest in June.

In regions with frequent thaws and recurrent frosts, spring planting is preferable. Choose a moment when the snow has already melted, but the soil has warmed up to no more than +8...+10°C. Depending on the climate zone, this may be the second half of April or May. Covering material will help protect crops from frost.

To get a harvest with good keeping quality, choose mid-season and mid-early varieties. The optimal time for planting them is May-June. The same period is suitable for re-sowing early varieties.

Important! Carrots do not tolerate excessively wet soil. About a month before planting, the area is covered with film to protect it from rain and melting snow.

Despite the miniature size of the root crops, it is recommended to maintain a distance between grooves of 2 cm and a seeding depth of 2-2.5 cm.

Nuances of care

Caring for carrot plantings includes watering, thinning and fertilizing the plants, protecting them from weeds, diseases and pests.

Watering mode

After the first shoots appear, watering is carried out once every 3 days, water consumption is 3 l/m². As the plant grows, the frequency of irrigation is reduced to once a week. In this case, about 10-15 liters of water are required per 1 m² of planting. A couple of weeks before harvesting, watering is stopped.

Reference. The best effect is achieved by watering in the morning or evening hours, when solar activity is reduced and the air is warmed up by no more than +20...+25°C.

Thinning and weed control

Weeds and dense planting interfere with the normal development of carrots. Therefore, immediately after the appearance of 2 true leaves, the beds are weeded and thinned at the same time. To achieve optimal density, leave a distance of 4-5 cm between plants.

Soil herbicides (Gezagard, Reglon Super) help reduce the number of weedings. The soil is treated with the preparations dissolved according to the instructions.

Top dressing

During the growing season of mini-carrots, 3 feedings are recommended:

At the stage of 3-4 true leaves, the plant needs nitrogen and potassium fertilizers. For these purposes, a solution of 2 matchboxes of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water is suitable.
After 2-3 weeks (the tops consist of 4-6 true leaves), fertilize with complex fertilizers, for example, nitrophoska - 2 matchboxes per 10 liters of water.
During the growth phase of the root crop, there is an outflow of nutrients from the above-ground part. To form sweet and juicy fruits, phosphorus, boron and manganese are needed. Superphosphate (60-80 g per 10 liters of water) will help maintain the vitality of the plant.

To remove nitrates, 30 days before harvesting, you can fertilize the soil with potassium-containing preparations.

Disease and pest control

The main cause of plant diseases is violation of agricultural practices. As a rule, this is incorrect crop rotation, excessive watering without providing adequate drainage, dense plantings, the presence of weeds and insufficient loosening.

Carrots are most susceptible to fungal diseases:

Phoma appears as dark brown spots on the tops, petiole and the root itself.
Alternaria blight (dry or black spot) is characterized by dark spots, curling of the foliage and a bitter taste in the carrot pulp.
Cercospora blight leads to darkening of the tops, deformation and shredding of root crops.
Brown spotting is more common in young plants; the first sign is darkening of the tops at the base; as they grow, the leaves begin to turn yellow and acquire a brown color.
Powdery mildew reveals itself by a characteristic white coating on plants.
Rhizoctonia (felt rot) is a putrefactive coating on root crops, which gradually thickens and forms a crust.

Among bacterial diseases, bacteriosis especially often affects carrots: the lower part of the tops turns yellow, then brown areas form on the root crop.

The following drugs are used for treatment:

decoctions of herbs (celandine, nettle, horsetail);
Bordeaux mixture;
copper oxychloride (CHOM);
contact chemical fungicides - “Rovral” (“Iprodione”), “Skor” (“Difenoconazole”);
biofungicides – “Fitosporin-M”, “Mikorad MALSANO” (“Trichodermin”).

Carrot flies, moths and psyllids are considered to be the worst pests of carrot plantings. Fight them with:

industrial insecticides (Intavir, Karatan, Karate Zeon, Medvedox);
folk remedies (tobacco-soap and saline solution, infusion of onion or garlic);
repellent plants (calendula, marigold, onion, garlic);
mulch between rows (wood ash, pine sawdust).

Harvest and storage

The ripeness of the root crop is determined by the condition of the ground part . The dying off of the lower leaves indicates the plant is ready for harvest. Also, the gardener should focus on the timing specified in the instructions for the seed material.

Harvest in dry weather - damp carrots will not be stored for long. If necessary, root vegetables are dried in the open air, hidden from direct sunlight under a tent.

Reference. Removing the tops helps to extend the shelf life - they are cut off or torn off with twisting movements.

Storage features and shelf life

Early varieties of mini-carrots have poor shelf life, so it is recommended to eat them as soon as possible after harvesting or prepare them in any available way: freeze, preserve or dry them.

More mature mid-season and mid-early varieties are Karotel and Marlinka. These carrots are stored in a cool, dry cellar for several months.

"Polar Cranberry"

One of the earliest forms - only 65 days from sowing to harvest. Round specimens resemble large radishes. They have high resistance to cracking. Valued for ease of collection. The smooth surface is covered with small eyes. The head does not turn green. Suitable for fresh consumption, processing, storage and transportation. Often grown for early harvest for later sale.

The pulp is intensely colored, with a high content of sugars and dry substances. Due to its small size, the variety is suitable for preservation in its entirety. Pickled together with other small vegetables, they do not lose their taste, but give the appetizer more aroma and contrast.

Reviews of the mini carrot variety

Baby carrots received the well-deserved love of summer residents. Proof of this is their rave reviews.

Maria: “The little carrot is a real find! Minimum effort in growing and maximum pleasure on the plate. Little children gobble up these “short ones” by both cheeks!”

Ivan: “I’m desperate to grow carrots in our permafrost conditions (Murmansk region). I tried the Khibinskaya greenhouse variety - it feels great under the film, and tolerates temperature changes with a bang.”

"Rondo"

An early ripening representative of a vegetable crop. Variety type - "Paris Market". It reaches biological ripeness within 80 days from the moment the sprouts appear. “Rondo” is interesting because of its unusual shape. It's round. The root vegetable is smooth, which increases the value of carrots in cooking, and it is easy to peel. The color of ripe vegetables is orange-red. The maximum diameter of the fruit is 5 cm.

The pulp is juicy, dark orange in color. "Rondo" is intended not only for fresh consumption, but also for processing. Recommended for early production and cultivation at home. Not demanding, easily tolerates artificial lighting. Cultivation in mini-greenhouses is acceptable.