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Rainbow Carrots Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to rainbow carrots
About rainbow carrots
Rainbow carrots come in an array of stunning colors, including deep red, purple, yellow, and white. Carrots were first grown in the 1500s in purple and yellow varieties. They began to grow in a wider range throughout the years, including red, white, and sometimes black. The orange carrots we are familiar with today were first cultivated in the 1600s and were a mix of the red and yellow varieties being bred together.
The flavor of rainbow carrots is similar to that of the traditional orange carrot. These differences are more prominent in uncooked rainbow carrots. If you cook rainbow carrots before eating, it is unlikely that you will notice a difference in taste.
How to pick out rainbow carrots
Rainbow carrots are packaged and sold in different ways. For maximum freshness, go for carrots with the leafy greens still attached. If the greens of the carrots are turning yellow, they are likely drying out and will not taste as fresh and flavorful. However, moisture is often lost in the leafy greens, which draw moisture from the carrots themselves. Look for carrots with minimal cracks, so they do not lose moisture and remain fresh.
The different colors of rainbow carrots
While similar in taste and texture to the orange carrots we know and love, rainbow carrots add more color, texture, and crunch to a delicious meal. Different color carrots differ slightly in their nutritional content, so eating a rainbow of carrots can help you to receive a range of nutritional value.
The color of the carrots depends on how the vegetable is grown. Factors such as time of year, weather conditions, soil, sun, and water all impact the color of rainbow carrots. In order to get a variety of rainbow carrots, farmers have to be knowledgeable about these factors to help them grow carrots of varying shades. Rainbow carrots include the following:
- Orange Carrots: Orange carrots contain a high amount of beta-carotene, which gives them their signature bright orange color. They are orange on the inside and out.
- Purple Carrots: While these carrots are purple on the outside due to their anthocyanin content, the insides of this variety of rainbow carrots can actually be orange, red, or white.
- White Carrots: White carrots do not have any pigmentation, hence their lack of color. They are not to be confused with parsnips, a member of the carrot family but a separate species.
- Yellow Carrots: This variety of carrots is known for its link to cancer prevention. They get their yellow color from their high amounts of lutein.
Ultimately, all varieties of rainbow carrots have their benefits, and to maintain a balanced diet, eating rainbow carrots can be highly beneficial to your health.
Rainbow Carrots Near Me
Buy your favorite Rainbow Carrots online with Instacart. Order Rainbow Carrots from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about rainbow carrots
If you buy rainbow carrots with the leafy greens still attached, it is important to remove them when you arrive home. Cut the top of the carrot off before storing it in your refrigerator. This will keep your rainbow carrots fresh, and stop them from drying out prematurely. If you leave the leafy greens on the rainbow carrots, they will lose moisture and become shriveled. Place the rainbow carrots in a bag or container in your crisper or higher in your fridge where the air circulation is cooler. This will help keep them fresh and crisp for up to 10 days in your home.
Rainbow carrots make any meal look absolutely beautiful. A popular way to utilize rainbow carrots is to roast them in the oven. They make an easy side dish alongside any family meal.
Alternatively, you may consider using your rainbow carrots in a salad. The variety of color in your bunch of rainbow carrots adds a wide range of nutrition and excitement to what can otherwise be a boring, green salad.
If you are more of a sweet tooth than someone who enjoys savory meals, rainbow carrots can be used in carrot cake too! They can be a healthy way to make a cake look like a rainbow, with flecks of red, purple, and yellow being seen within the cake. The possibilities are endless!
Due to their exciting colors and lack of exposure in most of the United States, it's easy to assume rainbow carrots are genetically modified. But, they've actually been around a lot longer than the traditional orange carrot. The variety of colors come from a variety of factors that have been cultivated over hundreds of years.
Rainbow carrots can be found at supermarkets, farmer's markets, or other shops across the country. They can also be ordered via Instacart, allowing you to save time and money on your next grocery trip!