Purple Carrots

I picked a few of my carrots and then saw that there was an article about purple carrots in the newspaper. These carrots taste just like regular carrots, although they are purple on the outside. I knew these carrots were considered heirloom, I just didn't realize how long their history is!

The Fresno Bee, June 13, 2009: "Valley's Purple Carrots Stand to Benefit From Laws" (edited)

The article said that "the ancient purple carrot is returning to its roots, this time to dye processed foods rather than the robes of Afghan royals." Foods that have synthetic dyes that are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will soon be required to have a warning label if they are imported by the European Union. Various fruits and vegetables are being tested for their dye potential, with the purple carrot becoming an important option.

One of the best sources for purple carrots is from the Grimmway Farms in Kern County, where they grow vegetables organically for the gourmet market. They are also sending juice for experiments at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Purple carrots grew thousands of years before orange carrots came about, and "are especially high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, a free-radical-fighting plant pigment that also colors blueberries and red wine grapes."

Researchers at the Southampton University in England have found a connection between some synthetic dyes and hyperactivity in children. In Europe the warning label will read: "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

California will have the opportunity to be a major supplier of purple carrots, opening a new market that will benefit the Central Valley. Who knew?!