Vegetable Carrot - [12107A0007-Vrushal Sangvekar]

How to Select and Store carrots?

1. Carrot roots should be firm, smooth, relatively straight and bright in color. 
2. The deeper the orange-color, the more beta-carotene is present in the carrot. 
3. Avoid carrots that are excessively cracked or forked as well as those that are limp or rubbery.
4.  In addition, if the carrots do not have their tops attached, look at the stem end and ensure that it is not darkly colored as this is also a sign of age.
5.  If the green tops are attached, they should be brightly colored, feathery and not wilted. 
6. Since the sugars are concentrated in the carrots' core, generally those with larger diameters will have a larger core and therefore be sweeter.

1. Carrots are hardy vegetables that will keep longer than many others if stored properly. 
2. The trick to preserving the freshness of carrot roots is to minimize the amount of moisture they lose.
3.  To do this, make sure to store them in the coolest part of the refrigerator in a plastic bag or wrapped in a paper towel, which will reduce the amount of condensation that is able to form.
4.  They should be able to keep fresh for about two weeks. 
5. Research has shown that the especially valuable (all-E)-beta-carotene isomer is well-retained in carrots if stored properly. 
6. Carrots should also be stored away from apples, pears, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas since it will cause them to become bitter.

• If you purchase carrot roots with attached green tops, the tops should be cut off before storing in the refrigerator since they will cause the carrots to wilt prematurely as they pull moisture from the roots. 
• While the tops can be stored in the refrigerator, kept moist by being wrapped in a damp paper, they should really be used soon after purchase since they are fragile and will quickly begin to wilt.