Looking for tasty carrots

[Growem]

I have managed to get a set of carrots to both germinate and avoid carrot fly. However, I'm a bit disappointed with the taste. They are okay, but nothing better than I get at the store. I remember as a kid, carrots straight from the garden were the best thing I could think to eat. I am aware that this might be a another general getting old complaint, just like "it used to be all fields around here" and walking 5 miles to school, uphill both ways and through a blizzard. However, assuming I'm not totally off in what I remember, are there any recommendations for types of carrots for eating raw?

[shirlthegirl43]

Chantenay carrots are wonderfully sweet. They don't grow really long but are shorter and more 'triangular' in shape (if that makes sense)

[Cutecumber]

Yes, Chantenay are recommended for flavour.

The growing media will make some difference to the taste, so experiment with some carrots in containers using a mix of soil and compost. Don't over-water, but don't let the soil dry out.

By the way, you do realise that our taste changes through our life - it's not just that the food we eat changes...

Oh, and do grow your carrots organically - it is said to make a difference.

[Two_Sheds]

I've grown Adelaide (my favourite, & very quick), Chantenay (big fat carrot) and Purple Haze (purple skin, orange on inside). I grew White Kuttinger for fun, but the flavour wasn't all that.

In a blind taste test, the Purple Haze won.

[Growem]

Thanks for the suggestions people, I will try and find some seed for next year. I'm interested in your idea Cutecumber, of mixing up the growing media. I think it was mainly compost this last set, so maybe they need a bit more interesting material for a more interesting flavour.

[Shortie]

I've always thought the the Rainbow Mix carrots are tasty... I initially grew them for the novelty for my eldest (now 5) but I'm really stuck on them - fun colours (though the colour fades when boiled) and lovely and sweet. So much so that said son ran off with one I lifted on Monday, washed it in the lottie water trough and eat it before I had a chance to say 'for roast dinner!!'

[bluemoon]

I always think homegrown carrots can be a bit too carroty. The flavour is often quite strong, but this year I've grown Chantenay in a small raised bed, not only did they germinate, but they tasted delicious. Last year I grew some of the golf-ball types in the same way, they grew well, but the taste was not to my liking.

[Cutecumber]

I always think homegrown carrots can be a bit too carroty

lol! Bless you! You need to switch taste buds with Growem!!

[quark1]

I can certainly remember the days before supermarkets (plural) were on every high street and my mum used to buy all the shopping from the different purveyors of.

I can also say that I clearly remember that new/young/baby carrots were the sweetest little things - sometimes lacking a bit in the fullness of flavour dept - but when the bigger ones came onstream I remember the beautiful full-bodied sweetness of them nibbled raw or cooked with our fully home cooked meals. They also had a certain earthiness about them. The closest you got to a ready meal in those days was a vesta curry - do they still make it? Even frozen stuff was quite advanced - we had a 'fish finger' from time to time!

There's good and bad in both eras but I firmly believe that taste buds of the younger generation have been ruined by supermarket convenience food and even the fresh stuff for that matter - probably due to standardisation inflicted by EU regs or supermarkets themselves.

Grumpy old woman from Saltdean! So there - I've said my piece and now I'll keep the peace.

[shirlthegirl43]

I've grown Adelaide (my favourite, & very quick), Chantenay (big fat carrot) and Purple Haze (purple skin, orange on inside). I grew White Kuttinger for fun, but the flavour wasn't all that.

In a blind taste test, the Purple Haze won.

How quick for the Adelaide Two_Sheds? I am finally getting round to sowing some more seeds in the hope of some home-grown veg for Christmas time, is it worth trying to get hold of some of those seeds?

[Cloud]

Sugarsnax by a long chalk!!!

[lynda66]

The closest you got to a ready meal in those days was a vesta curry - do they still make it?

yep ..... i had a nostalgic paella the other day ....... it was crap lol.

[Mike and Louise]

We grow Supreme Chantenay Red Cored.

They taste great pulled straight from the ground. Even when left in the fridge for a few days they still taste great.

Not too bad after being frozen for a few months either.

[Two_Sheds]

How quick for the Adelaide Two_Sheds?

I sowed them in March. I ate 6 of them on 18th May

[Growem]

That's quick. I'm going to have to see if I can get some for a late sowing too.