Carrots are amongst the most nutritious veggies ever. They’re also some of the tastiest and more colorful! And although all carrots are delicious, baby carrots are just lovely. Here’s the problem. You might find white stripes and spots in your favorite all-natural snacks. So, what is that stuff?
Well, today, we’re uncovering the secret behind baby carrots. What are they, anyway? Are they as healthy as they’re tasty? Are they really so different from other carrots? And most importantly, are they safe to eat when they have that unappealing white stuff on them?
Get ready to get to know this popular one-biter intimately. We’re going deep into all things baby carrots, and you’ll love it! This is baby carrot 101. You should know as much as you can about what you snack on!
Carrots Are Super Healthy
Before we talk about the mysterious white stuff in baby carrots, let’s start from the beginning. Baby carrots are as healthy as regular carrots, so you should really consider adding them to your diet.
Carrots are a fantastic alternative to unhealthier snacks like chips and cookies, and their snap is equally satisfying. Carrots are 88% water, and this matters, you’ll see. There’s also plenty of fiber and carbs in the orange sticks, and they’re fairly low on calories, so you can basically eat all you want without compromising your weight goals.
And you have undoubtedly heard about all the vitamins in carrots. Well, it’s true. You’ll get vitamin B, K, and A (beta-carotene) in carrots, so they’re good for your vision, growth and immune system; what’s not to love! Then there’s baby carrots’ little secret, and you might not like it.
What Are Baby Carrots, anyway?
Baby carrots have a little secret. They’re not baby carrots at all, and they’re not a species of small, cute carrots either; baby carrots are regular carrots that have been trimmed down to their small size.
Machines grab carrots, often irregular-shaped carrots, peel them and reduce them to their small, uniform size. And although this might seem like a waste of food (and it is), it also feels a bit like a disappointment.
So, over 50% of a carrot is disposed of, just to end with the veggies’ tender core. That’s why baby carrots have no peel. Interestingly, baby carrots’ little secret is also the cause of that strange white stuff you commonly find on their surface.
So, what’s that white stuff? Allow me to explain. The good news? It’s harmless. And there’s more; you can get rid of it!
What is the White Stuff in Baby Carrots?
That stuff in baby carrots is called carrot blush or white blush, and it’s not a fungus or carrots gone bad, but dehydration. These are dry spots that develop naturally, especially in baby carrots that lack protective skin.
So, there you have it, that white stuff is dehydration, and it might not look pretty, but it’s harmless. In fact, if you re-hydrate the carrots by steeping them in water for a few minutes, you can get rid of the blush almost wholly.
Now, if you don’t like carrot blush in your favorite snacks, then buy regular carrots, peel them and cut them any way you want. They’re cheaper, fresher and not hard to peel at all. Fresh carrots are better than baby carrots by far — just try some freshly cut carrot sticks and see if you find a difference.
Regular Carrots Are Awesome as Well!
Baby carrots or regular carrots, choose your favorite. What matters is that you’re snacking on veggies and not store-bought, unhealthy snacks. And now that you know carrot’s white blush is harmless, nothing is stopping you from enjoying the healthy and tasty veggie.
