The Cosmic Purple Carrot is a mystifying carrot variety that deserves endless recognition. It is a marvel to look at and has a delightful flavor unlike any other you’ve experienced.
This vegetable is packed with nutrients, easy to grow, and guaranteed to spice up your dishes – what more could you ask for? This vegetable is truly out of this world – keep reading for all you need to know about this beautiful carrot!
Looking for Cosmic Purple Carrot seeds? Check availability here.
Characteristics
The Cosmic Purple Carrot has a long, conical root that tapers off to a skinny end. On average, this variety grows to about seven inches in length. In ideal growing conditions, the girth of these carrots can be quite large! The stems are frilly, bright green, and usually grow to about 15 inches long.
This carrot is covered in very fine root hairs, and the skin can range from a deep purple to a lighter purple color, especially at the tip. When you cut into a Cosmic Purple Carrot, there’s a beautiful bright orange or yellow interior.
History
Carrots originated over 1,000 years ago in Central Asia, around modern-day Afghanistan and Iran. Purple carrots have been around for just as long – in fact, up until the 1500s, most carrots used to be purple and white!
Orange carrots grew in popularity after selective breeding by the Dutch, most likely because of the orange carrot’s sweeter and less bitter flavor than the original purple and white varieties. But where did the Cosmic Purple Carrot come from?
Dr. Phillipp Simon, a geneticist at the USDA Agriculture Research Station in Wisconsin, developed the carrot and released it publicly in 2005.
The unique flavor of the Cosmic Purple Carrot adds variety to the range of other purple carrot flavors. The eccentric vegetable was well-received, and today it’s rather popular at farmer’s markets and in home gardens.
Eating and Cooking With Cosmic Purple Carrots
Adding Cosmic Purple Carrots into your kitchen is a fantastic way to discover new recipes and spice up your weeknight favorites.
Unlike any other carrot variety, the Cosmic Purple Carrot has a rewarding crunch and unique flavor. The earthy flavor has a hint of sweetness and a slight spice that gives these carrots an intriguing bite.
The carrot is most commonly chopped into salads or eaten raw with a dip, but there are endless ways to enjoy this delicious vegetable.
This carrot can be blended into soups, juices, smoothies, and sauces! Roasting these carrots with a mouthwatering medley of fresh herbs and spices can help take their flavor to the next level.
Pork, beef, and poultry are all excellent entrees to serve alongside the Cosmic Purple Carrot. Garlic, onion, thyme, and rosemary all pair harmoniously with this carrot. It also pairs exceptionally well with other vegetables, such as potatoes, peppers, and broccoli!
If you have a child that refuses to eat vegetables, try incorporating the carrot into their snack time. The fun colors of this carrot variety are enough to pique anyone’s interest, and you’d be surprised to see what the magic of the Cosmic Purple Carrot can do for picky children!
Recipes
Want to incorporate the Cosmic Purple Carrot into your meals but aren’t sure how? Check out these fantastic recipes for inspiration!
Health Benefits
Cosmic Purple Carrots are rich in anthocyanins – an antioxidant that gives this carrot its purple tone. The presence of anthocyanins makes these carrots great for the immune system, and they can even help treat inflammation and prevent chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
Inside the root, the presence of beta-carotene gives the carrot its bright orange color. When eaten, beta-carotene converts into vitamin A, which promotes strong vision and eye health. Cosmic Purple Carrots are fiber-rich and contain potassium, calcium, and vitamins C, E, and K.
For a detailed account of all the reasons carrots are good for you, check out our post on the health benefits of carrots!
Growing Cosmic Purple Carrots at Home
Growing the Cosmic Purple Carrot in your garden is a wonderful way to ensure a steady supply of this marvelous vegetable. This variety is straightforward to grow, and it’s always a great vegetable to have on hand!
When planting carrots, always sow your seed directly into the ground. Transplanting carrots disrupts the roots and stunts their growth. Seeds should be sown outside about two to four weeks before your last expected frost.
While carrots are frost hardy, waiting until the soil is at least 45 degrees Fahrenheit is important. Fertile, well-draining loam soil is best for helping your carrots thrive. Seeds should be sown ¼ inches deep with 1-inch spacing and at least 12 inches between rows.
Cosmic Purple Carrots do best in full sun and should receive adequate moisture during germination. Your carrots should emerge in 10 to 25 days and be ready for harvest in about 70!
For a complete planting and growing guide, check out our post on how to grow carrots.
Where to Buy Cosmic Purple Carrot Seeds
Cosmic Purple Carrots have become popular in farmer’s markets or specialty grocery stores. However, the easiest way to have a constant fresh supply of the Cosmic Purple Carrot is by growing this lovely vegetable at home!
Looking to add this carrot to your garden? Check out these Cosmic Purple Carrot seeds from Botanical Interests.
A Cosmic Curiosity
This otherworldly vegetable is truly a work of art. With so many incredible benefits, there’s no doubt that the Cosmic Purple Carrot deserves a spot in your diet! Want to learn about different carrot varieties, growing tips, and more? Check out our other posts on carrots for all you need to know!
- About the Author
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Spending her early childhood in the Hudson Valley region of New York, Alanna Singletary has wonderful memories of helping her uncle tend to his lush garden each year.
Rather than turning on Saturday cartoons, her winter mornings were filled with sap collection and maple syrup production; while summer days brought tomato picking and countless hours tending to a homemade tomato sauce.
Now residing in North Carolina, Alanna continues to assist with her father’s grand garden and is working on growing crops of her own. Her garden experience at an early age set her up for a constant desire to learn, something she continues to carry in all aspects of life.