I'm actually terrible at growing carrots. *blush* They take too long to germinate and get going. One of these years I'll figure out a system that works for me.
But yes, fresh carrots can be an epiphany. More to the point, though, a good variety of carrots can be an epiphany. Somewhere along the line growers decided that Imperial (named for California's Imperial Valley, very sandy soil) was the only kind consumers would buy. They can grow them really long in the sandy soil. But flavor? Not their strong point.
If you see short, stubby carrots, odds are they'll taste much better. If you can get them from an organic grower at a farmers market with the greens attached and unwilted, they should be great. (Cut the greens off when you get home, but they're a good indicator of freshness.)
All that said, I have still had homegrown carrots with that soapy flavor. I suspect it's caused by stress -- too much heat, not enough water. Some folks say halving the carrot and cutting the core out will get rid of that flavor. If you're sensitive to it, it might be worth trying.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2006-06-21 05:52 pm (UTC)The Tragedy of USAian Food Production
Date: 2006-06-21 06:07 pm (UTC)I've had raw carrots elsewhere that tasted scrumptious without adding the sauce of hunger.
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Date: 2006-06-21 06:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-21 06:28 pm (UTC)Point to ponder
Date: 2006-06-21 07:15 pm (UTC)I suspect that
Re: Point to ponder
Date: 2006-06-22 03:47 am (UTC)But yes, fresh carrots can be an epiphany. More to the point, though, a good variety of carrots can be an epiphany. Somewhere along the line growers decided that Imperial (named for California's Imperial Valley, very sandy soil) was the only kind consumers would buy. They can grow them really long in the sandy soil. But flavor? Not their strong point.
If you see short, stubby carrots, odds are they'll taste much better. If you can get them from an organic grower at a farmers market with the greens attached and unwilted, they should be great. (Cut the greens off when you get home, but they're a good indicator of freshness.)
All that said, I have still had homegrown carrots with that soapy flavor. I suspect it's caused by stress -- too much heat, not enough water. Some folks say halving the carrot and cutting the core out will get rid of that flavor. If you're sensitive to it, it might be worth trying.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-21 06:46 pm (UTC)Ever try to eat silage?
Date: 2006-06-21 07:33 pm (UTC)Re: Ever try to eat silage?
Date: 2006-06-21 08:46 pm (UTC)Re: Ever try to eat silage?
Date: 2006-06-22 12:06 am (UTC)Thank you, Ma'am.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-22 01:37 pm (UTC)B