Useful properties and cultivation of black carrots
Black carrots are a curiosity for our latitudes. Few of our compatriots are familiar with the black variety of such a very useful root vegetable as carrots. We all know the benefits and benefits of bright orange carrots. She is a welcome guest on the tables of our compatriots at any time of the year. Young roots of this vegetable are especially appreciated in the spring, during the period of vitamin deficiency. After all, her saturation with vitamins and useful microelements is such that she can confidently compete with any overseas miracle fruit.
But black carrots are not often seen on the shelves of our stores and vegetable markets. But, nevertheless, black carrots really exist, but whether it is inferior to our orange compatriot in valuable vitamin composition, or superior to it, let's figure it out.
A bit of history
Black carrots with a bluish tinge grow mainly in the East and in Asia. Such a variety is called a speedy. This variety is also very popular in the countries of North and South America, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Egypt.
In appearance, the root crop is exactly the same as the usual orange one, only of a different color. This type of carrot is a perennial. But in practice, it is grown for two years. Unlike us, in countries where black carrots are grown, they are accustomed to eating not only the root crop itself, but also the “vershok” from which all kinds of salads are made.
It grows from seeds, in the first year, only a part of the sweet useful root crops is harvested, which are successfully eaten, the second part is left for seeds.
In the second year, the carrot with the proud name of Scorcier is covered with bright yellow and fragrant flowers. Such a charm serves as a decoration for any garden. With the onset of autumn, seeds ripen from the flowers, which are collected and sown for the next season.
There are also wild varieties of such a useful plant, but in terms of taste and vitamin composition, they are significantly inferior to their cultural relatives.
The scorder can reach quite impressive dimensions: in length - 30 cm, and in width - up to 40 mm. The core is not dense, inside it may be light yellow in color (depending on the variety). The aroma is very pleasant with distant notes of vanilla.
Varietal variety
In the wild, there are over 200 varieties and species of scorchors. It grows in meadows and fields, and can often be seen along roads. It is also used for food, but only cultivated varieties have greater nutritional value and better taste.
In our country, of the cultivated varieties of scorchors, only two varieties have taken root:
- Sunny premiere.
- Healing.
These varieties have great nutritional value, and are second only to soybeans and beans in terms of saturation with microelements.
Features of growing in our latitudes
To grow a black beauty in your garden, you must have basic skills and abilities. A feature of this variety is unpretentious care. They grow it, in principle, in the same way as an ordinary orange beauty.
Important to remember. Do not stock up on seeds for a long period. Seeds give good germination only the next year after they ripen.
The soil for cultivation must be sandy loam, or loamy. Before planting seeds, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the soil from weeds and, preferably, fertilize it with humus.
Such a variety has increased drought resistance: it should not be watered often and abundantly, but it needs timely thinning of the beds. Otherwise, the scorchion will grow poorly and the fruits will be smaller.
It usually takes 3-4 months from planting seeds to harvesting. Dig up black carrots in dry weather. After harvesting, the crop must be thoroughly dried, always in the shade, avoiding bright sunlight that can spoil the fruits: give them an unsightly green color, which indicates the appearance of very toxic substances. Once dried, the fruit should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated area. It can be stored in boxes with sand, in polyethylene bags, in fabric bags.
Useful properties of scorders
Such a variety may be very unusual and unsightly for us in aesthetic appearance, but in terms of taste, it is very, very superior to our usual orange beauty.
The fact is that the scorcier contains 12 times more antioxidants than our regular carrots. This makes her a real home doctor.
Its nutritional value is enormous and far exceeds that of our healthy orange carrot. It also contains a large amount of vitamins of group B and C, macro and microelements, which include such substances necessary for our body as iron, calcium and phosphorus.
The use of such a root vegetable will provide an irreplaceable service for health, with such ailments:
- Iron deficiency anemia, spring vitamin deficiency.
- For various disorders in the liver and kidneys.
- Obesity of various stages.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Various colds.
- Diabetes.
It is included in the dietary menu for any diseases. Vitamin A in the composition of the root vegetable is able to perfectly strengthen vision. And a large amount of fiber improves digestion, cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, and serves as an excellent prevention of constipation. And a large amount of vitamin C in the composition of the root vegetable perfectly strengthens the immune system, helps the body to cope with colds and flu in the spring-winter period. Inulin makes such a carrot indispensable for diabetes.
How to use
This root vegetable is consumed raw, boiled and stewed. Freshly squeezed juices from scorcers are very useful, which can be consumed both in pure form and in relation to other juices, such as apple juice. Salads, stews, soups, borscht are made from it. This is an excellent side dish for meat and mushroom dishes.
In China and Tibet, black carrots are not only eaten, but also actively used in the production of medicines. All kinds of drugs for diabetes and anemia are prepared from it.
But black carrots are still somewhat inferior to our orange ones. It contains no carotene at all.
Contraindications to use
No matter how useful and healing this overseas root vegetable is, there are still some contraindications to its use. You can not use black carrots for those who have a history of:
- Gastritis.
- Ulcerative diseases of the stomach, or intestines.
From personal experience, I was convinced of one thing, that the varieties of black carrots require more seriously prepared soil, then the harvest will delight. By the way, such a carrot tastes very pleasant.