All about Black Carrots - history and nutrition (original) (raw)

The main colours of carrots now have their own pages - purple - black - white - yellow - red (click colour to select)

Black carrot - Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens - (known as Kaali Gajar in India) is most commonly found and eaten in Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The carrot has long been known as an orange-coloured vegetable, so this dark-colored veggie intrigues people a bit. People in the West have grown up believing that carrots have always been orange, but long before the orange carrot became conventional in the 15th century, black carrots existed across Asia and the eastern Mediterranean. The colour of Black Carrots is primarily due to a high concentration of anthocyanin. On the other hand, orange and yellow carrots tend to be higher in beta-carotene. Black carrots are still grown and consumed in Eastern countries such a Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan India and the Far East.

The Black carrothas a unique taste and has an unexpected sweetness, along with a subtle spicy aftertaste.

Cultivated carrots originated in the Afghanistan region and were at that time, yellow, purple (orange cored) and black (white cored). From this center of domestication carrots they were grown as a root crop to the East and the West with the incorporation of several characteristics contrasting the environmental conditions appertaining to two geographic regions. The Eastern carrot spread to central and north Asia and then to Japan. Red coloured carrot is typical for India and also was introduced to Japan. In contrast, Western carrot type is characterized initially by yellow and later by orange root colour. This carrot type spread to the West and now dominates in carrot production around the world.

The black or purple carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) belongs to the Eastern group of the originally domesticated carrots, having its primary domestication centre today probably in the Kashmir-Afghanistan-Turkestan regions. The black carrot has been extensively studied for its nutraceutical characteristics that impart outstanding health properties - (Source - Akhtar, S.; Rauf, A.; Imran, M.; Qamar, M.; Riaz, M.; Mubarak, M.S. Black carrot (Daucus carota L.), dietary and health promoting perspectives of its polyphenols: A review. Trend Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 66, 36�47 March 2021Plants 10(3):564 Federica Blando et al)

The Black carrot plays an important role in human nutrition, as it comprises a variety of health promoting components (Suzme, Boyacioglu, Toydemir, & Capanoglu, 2014).

In addition to the presence of known antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, black carrots have also attracted attention due to the presence of phenolic compounds, which contribute significantly to the antioxidant capacity (Algarra et al., 2014). Besides anthocyanins as the major phenolic compounds, it has been shown that black carrot also contains significant amounts of phenolic acids, including hydroxycinnamates and caffeic acid (Kammerer, Carle, & Schieber, 2004).

Black carrots are perishable and difficult to preserve as a raw product. Therefore, black carrots grown in Turkey are often processed into different products such as juice, concentrate and Salgam � i.e., a traditional lactic acid fermented beverage � (Turkyilmaz, Yemis, & Ozkan, 2012).

Black carrots are also an excellent source of anthocyanins. Anthocyanins help lower bad cholesterol (LDL) along with helping protect the arteries against oxidation. Anthocyanins also help protect us against various forms of cancer. This variety has high nutraceutical values and is rich in anthocyanins, phenols, flavonolds �-carotene, calcium, iron, and zinc. Its anti-oxidant activity is four times higher than red carrot. The fresh black carrots are suitable for salad, juice, pickle and kanji which are good appetizer.See also the famous, unique, purple/black carrots of Cuevs Bajas, Spain, here.

The �Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry� published a study in April 2011 that investigated the anthocyanin content in four varieties of black carrots including the Antonina, Beta Sweet, Deep Purple and Purple Haze and found a range of anthocyanin levels, from 1.5 milligrams per 100 grams up to 97.9 milligrams per 100 grams. Black carrots originate from Turkey, the Middle East, and Far East.

Carrot is rich in pro-healthy antioxidants both of lipophylic (carotenoids) and hydrophilic (phenolic compounds) characters. Although carotenoid content varies considerably among carrot genotypes, usually orange carrots contain high amounts of α- and β- carotene; yellow carrots contain lutein, the red colour of carrots is due to lycopene, while polyphenol substances, mostly anthocyanins are typical for purple roots.

Geneticists have shown with genetical data that the cultivated carrot germplasm is subdivided between Eastern and Western carrots _(Clotault et al. 2010)._The black/purple carrots are clustered in the Eastern group, even if three individuals from the Middle East show admixture between the two geographical groups. This suggests the black type has an oriental origin, and that gene flows between this type and European carrots may have arisen in Turkey/Syria. Carrots of Asian origin belonging to Eastern gene pool are more often purple or red and richer in phenolics and have higher antiradical activity than those from the Western gene pool with mainly orange roots.

Evidence from new research suggests that eating black carrots on a regular basis could have positive benefits in reducing the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer�s. (2019 pdf press release here)

Evidence from new research suggests that eating black carrots on a regular basis could have positive benefits in reducing the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. A number of components in black carrots including its anti-inflammatory properties and anthocyanin can play an important role in treating these conditions. The research is not yet conclusive but it's a big step towards understanding Alzheimer's as well as its potential natural treatments.

Black carrots are a popular vegetable in India and China. This vegetable is loaded with nutrients that offer numerous health benefits. Rich in nutrients, black carrots get their colour from anthocyanins. These carrots help in providing relief from inflammatory disease, treating digestive issues like constipation, boost cognition, bloating, cough, weakness in joints and cramps.

Some Health Benefits -

1. Provide anti-inflammatory benefits - Anti-inflammatory foods such as the black carrot can help combat inflammation in the body and thus, prevent the risk of several diseases and illnesses. Some studies have shown that foods such as black/purple carrots may help in preventing urinary tract infections.

2. Rich in antioxidants - Antioxidant anthocyanins work to protect the cells from damage caused by oxidants. They help the body by neutralizing and removing these oxidants from your bloodstream. This provides other benefits like slowing down the signs of aging, making your skin look youthful, and lowering the risk of heart disease. A diet rich in antioxidants is also known to keep your brain active and your gut healthy.

3. Full of nutrients - They are low in calories and rich in dietary fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. They are also good sources of carotids that boost eye and skin health. It is important to load up on Vitamin C-rich foods during the winter season as it helps in boosting your immunity and protects you against bouts of cold and flu.

4. Good for your eyes - Anthocyanin-rich foods such as the black carrot may help improve your eye health. Anthocyanins can benefit your vision in many ways � they enhance your vision, improve circulation and also help in fighting macular degeneration.

5. Aids digestion - the black carrot is full of fibre which helps in regulating digestion. The fermented Kaanji drink that is made using black carrots and mustard seeds is known to boost your digestion during the winter season which tends to become a bit sluggish.

Most of the fibre found in black carrots is soluble which absorbs water in the digestive tract and turns into a gel-like substance. This keeps you full for longer and can also help lower blood cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels. Purple carrots are slightly sweet but they lose a lot of their colour and flavour when boiled. Therefore, they are best eaten raw.

Black carrots are extremely high in dietary fibre which can help to stimulate peristaltic motion, improves the nutrient absorption in the gut and helps smoothen the bowel movements. Its helps as fibre can help in quick weight loss and lower cholesterol levels. Dietary fibre also regulates the release of insulin and glucose in the body, which makes it an excellent choice for diabetics.

Wild carrot has a small, tough pale fleshed bitter white root; modern domestic carrot has a swollen, juice sweet root, usually orange. Carrots originated in present day Afghanistan about 5000 years ago, probably originally as a purple or yellow root. Nature then took a hand and produced mutants and natural hybrids, crossing both with cultivated and wild varieties. It is considered that purple carrots were then taken westwards where it is thought yellow mutants and wild forms crossed to produce orange. Finally some motivated European (perhaps Dutch) growers took these mutant orange carrots under their horticultural wings and developed them to be sweeter and more practical. Black carrots are more weather sensitive and it is suspected that they did not "travel" well to the colder parts of western Europe. Even today growing black carrots in the West can be problematic and they often bolt in the first year, producing spindly roots and no flowers, or at the best very weak ones.

In the Roman period carrots were purple or white. By the 10th century purple carrots were grown in Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern Iran. Purple, white and yellow carrots were imported to southern Europe in the 14thcentury. Black, red and white carrots were also grown. Black Carrots contain anthocyanins, part of the flavonoid family with antioxidant properties. Flavanoids are currently under investigation as anticancer compounds, as free radical scavengers in living systems, as well as inhibitors of LDL (the bad) cholesterol and the black carrot anthocyanins are especially active.

It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungicidal properties and oil made from its seed can help control scalp itchiness and provides essential nutrients for hair growth. The ancient black carrot has been making a comeback, not so much for culinary purposes but as a source of natural food colourants. These originate from Turkey, and the Middle and Far East.

The anthocyanins in black carrot extract provide many health benefits, several from its antioxidant properties. Research in the March 2011 issue of the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" notes a correlation between anthocyanins and the potential for treating neurological dysfunctions such as Alzheimer's disease. Anthocyanins may also be useful in cancer treatment -- evidence published in the May 2011 "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" journal indicates that anthocyanins may counteract toxins that can damage healthy cells during chemotherapy.

Carotenoid Properties of Carrot Colours

Extract from Carotenoid Profiles and Consumer Sensory Evaluation of Speciality Carrots, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004_J. Agric. Food Chem._ 2004,52, 3417-3421

Take a look at this interesting article about black carrot halwa in India � and Delhi�s rarer white versionhere. Photo below of the local black carrots found in Lucknow, India (Black/purple carrots in a Lucknow halwa shop. Photo credit: Shoaib Daniyal.)

Read about Black carrot cultivation in Turkey a Carrot Aid study report from Southern Anatolia (pdf)

In 1623 the Arte de Cocina manuscript was written in Barcelona, Spain and included this early recipe for carrot salad. (Black ones preferred!)

Carrot Salad - Spain 1623

Francisco Martinez Montino. His original manuscript dates from 1623.

Montino was a cook to 3 Kings - Philip II, Philip III and Philip IV. The book gives an insight in royal banquets of the day with the description of elaborate recipes.

"The carrot for salad you should look for the black ones, wash them, and clean off the rootlets, and cut the point and the tops, and put them in a pot, and press them to the bottom so they are very tight, and place the pot n the coals and put fire all around, and above and roast them very well.

Then take out and clean off the skin so they become very delicate and season with salt and serve with oil, vinegar while hot. And if you want to add sugar, you can. The should be shallow. You should set these carrots where there are coals, and make little slices."

(Note the word �salad� merely means that this is a dish composed solely of vegetables, but not necessarily that it is cold).

Source - Cooking in Europe � 1250-1650 Ken Albala

Kanji and Salgam are popular drinks made from black carrots. (photos below) They are highly nutritious and have a high iron and vitamin content,. very good for the stomach. Regular intake gives a glow to the complexion. (Note - The ş in Turkish is sh; it is spelt şalgam it would phonetically be pronounced shalgum in English.) Black juice recipe here Halva recipe3">here

Black carrot juice is appetizing, good for the digestion and includes vitamins B and C. It is also good for liver and stomach. It includes other nutrients like calcium, potassium and iron which are beneficial for strong bones and teeth. The drink is also an excellent blood cleanser. It helps in maintaining eye health and blood circulation. In addition, it helps in keeping the skin healthy and gives it a smooth texture.

Kanji is very easy to prepare. Take five to six black carrots. Wash and clean them thoroughly. Then, chop them into pieces. Take three table spoons of rai powder, two tea spoons of salt and two tea spoons of ginger powder. Mix the contents and put into a large glass jar and pour six to seven glasses of water into it. Let it stand in sun for two days. Strain the contents and kanji is ready for consumption. In summer you can chill this delicious drink and serve with ice cubes. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and finely chopped ginger.

Gajar Kanji or carrot kanji is a traditional punjabi fermented drink that is made in the winters. black carrots appear in the winters in north India and these give the kanji its characteristic purple colour. if you don�t have black carrots, then adding beetroot gives this rich dark purple colour. the kanji is made with simple ingredients � carrots, mustard powder, red chilli powder and black salt along with water.

The whole drink is kept in the sun and allowed to ferment in glass jars or ceramic jars for 3-4 days. it depends on how the sun is behaving in your region. it can be even kept for 4-5 days if the sunlight is not very strong. if its very hot, then 2 -3 days are also enough. The kanji drink is had as an appetizer. it has a sour, spicy, pungent taste; also it is an acquired taste; either you will love the kanji or hate it.the carrots and beetroot get pickled in the process of fermentation and can be served as side pickle with the simple or Indian main course, they have a lovely fermented flavour and taste.FULL RECIPE HERE (pdf)

Black Carrot Juice - Salgam	Local Black Carrot Seeds from Turkey

Black carrots grow mostly in southern Europe and Asia, principally in Turkey and India. The pigments that give black carrots their characteristic colour are anthocyanins. These pigments exhibit a reversible change in molecular structure as the pH of solutions change from acidic to basic. This change in structure is characterized by a shift in hue from red to purple to blue as the pH changes from acidic to basic. Advantages: Anthocyanins from purple carrot are more stable over a wider pH range than anthocyanins from other fruit or vegetable sources, making them ideal for use in yogurts and other low pH dairy products.

Recommended applications: Flavouring, Energy Drinks, Spirits, Juice Drinks, Specialty Tea, Yogurt, Smoothies, Fruit Preparations, Salad Dressing, Breakfast Cereal, Confections, Dry Mixes.

Black carrot can be eaten raw and makes an ideal ingredient for fresh salad. Cut long pieces of black carrot, red carrot and radish. Chop tomatoes and boiled potato and mix in a bowl. Add salt, lemon juice and green chillies to taste.

Black Carrot/Juice Concentrate Facts

1 - Black Carrot Juice Concentrate includes over 12 times more antioxidant in comparison with regular carrot concentrate.

2 - It is stable through change in temperature and pH. it can be used as colour additive for various food directly without any additional procedure.

3 - Black Carrot Juice Concentrate added to strawberry marmalades help to keep their natural colour more steady.

4 -The Concentrate includes 40% more Beta carotene in comparison with regular carrots concentrate

5 - Black Carrot includes vitamin A and selenium and also it is � Good for the eyes � Good for hair � Good for skin � Increases Sperm � Anti infective � Anti Cancer (Antioxidant) � Helps to stable the blood stream

6 - Black carrot is used as a natural colour additive in food sector

7 - Black carrot in low pH applications it is a very strong alternative to Carmine colour

8 - Black carrot retains its red colour even in higher pH applications

9 - Black Carrot Juice Concentrate is appetising, good for digestion, includes vitamin B which is a tranquilizer, Good for liver and stomach, includes calcium, potassium and iron which are good for bones and teeth, includes vitamin A-B-C which are good for the heart, eyes and blood vessels.

10 - 100 g includes just 20 calories

11 - Black carrot juice has 28 times in anthocyanin than a standard orange carrot

Black Carrot Juice is an excellent blood cleanser. It has a high content of iron and vitamin C. It helps maintain eye health and blood circulation. It is good for constipation, stomach disorders and makes the skin healthy and glowing. Owing to its highly fibrous nature, it keeps the alimentary canal clean and regulated. It acts as a moistening agent and tones up the skin. It is good for treating acne and pigmentation.

Black Carrot Extract Colour �

Extracts from black carrots are most often used as a natural food colouring. The extract's colour is similar to that of grape skin extract -- red-blue or magenta. Food manufacturers may prefer black carrot extract to grape juice concentrate or grape skin extract because it is kosher and the colour from black carrot extract retains its colour better. The reddish colour of black carrot extract is a natural alternative to synthetic food colourings such as FD&C Red 40, or a colouring made of insects, called carmine.

Unlike "normal" carrots, which owe their colour to their Carotene content, Black Carrots contain Anthocyanin compounds (primarily Cyanidin glycosides) which, after extraction, exhibit desirable red shades similar to FD&C Red 40. More stable than other anthocyanins, Black Carrot Extract Colour is most stable and intense in the pH range of 3.0 to 5.0. This makes it ideal as a red colouring for water-based, low-pH systems such as beverages, sherbets, yogurts, candies and confections. Typical use levels are in the 0.01 � 0.50% range. Black Carrot Extract Colour is available in both dry and liquid form.

Black Carrot Concentrate is a Natural Food Additive which enables pink to red - red to purple colour shades according to pH of the added product.

As a natural colourant, Black Carrot Concentrate colour comes from its rich Anthocyanin content. This means that Black Carrot Concentrate is an additive that has a wide range of consumption applications including the following industry areas:

� Beverages Industry � Carbonated Drinks � Non-Carbonated Drinks � Alcoholic Drinks � Non-Alcoholic Drinks � Energy Drinks � Confectionery Industry � Candies � Chewing Gums � Dairy Industry � Milks � Yoghurts � Ice-creams � Food Industry � General Food � Meat products � Bakery � Fruit Fillings � Fruit Preparations � Pastry � Pharmaceutical Industry � General Drugs � General Cosmetics

Black Carrot Juice recipe

Ingredients: 8 Large Fresh Cleaned Black Carrots, 1 Fresh Cut Lemon Wedge

Information: Serving Size 1, 126 Calories Per Serving, 0 Grams Of Fat

Preparation Instructions:

This recipe is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth a try if you can get your hands on some healthy and flavonoid rich ripe black carrots. If you can't find them at your regular produce vendor then try a Middle Eastern or Turkish specialty shop. To begin this recipe you will first need to take out your juicer and plug it in. Give the juicer a quick once over to make sure it's clean and sterile. Next up thoroughly wash and rinse your black carrots under cold running tap water.

Depending on the size and processing strength of your juicer, you many need to quarter your carrots to prevent over stressing your machine. Moving forward, place a tall glass under the juice spout and begin feeding the carrots into the machine one by one. Depending on the moisture content of the carrots, you may need to adjust your carrot proportions accordingly. As an optional garnish add one freshly cut lemon wedge to your glass. One glass per day is the recommended limit, consumed either during or after a meal.

How to make Black Carrot Halwa:

1/2 kg - Black Carrots;2 cups - Sugar

2 cups - Full Cream Milk;1/2 tsp - Cardamom Powder

1/2 tin - Milkmaid;4 tsp - Ghee

A few Pistachios; A few Cashew nuts

Method: Grate black carrots and put them in a pan.

Add milk and cook till soft. Add sugar and cardamom powder. Cook well. Add milkmaid to this mixture.

Fry pistachios and cashew nuts in ghee and add to the mixture. Mix well and cook till ghee leaves the sides of the pan.

Tasty Black Carrot Halwa is ready and it can be either served hot or chilled.

Image compliments of Sifibawarchi -website here

Seed Supplies

This site at Territorial Seeds has some very dark purple. Another supplier is Rare Seeds Baker Creek Heirloom, Missouri here

You could aso try some of the seed exchange organisations.

You could also try Black Knight, which are available in the US (Amazon of all places!). Not a true black but more reliable and some of the darker ones which appear are almost black. I consider these to be true blacks in any case, because they have the white/purple core. Most ordinary purples (purple haze etc) are orange centred.

I have previously purchased Spanish Black carrot fromThomas Etty in the UK, and I know they post to US.

Seed listing - http://www.thomasetty.co.uk/seeds/veg-flower-2012.pdf

Please be aware the Spanish Black (and other darks) are VERY erratic and often do not germinate or if they do they bolt to flower in the first year, producing a spindly wild carrot-type root. Of course they originate from Turkey/Syria and therefore grow best in the environmental conditions found there. UK conditions are very similar to NYC and nothing like Turkey!

Reference material -

Anthocyanin Composition of Black Carrot (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) Cultivars Antonina, Beta Sweet, Deep Purple, and Purple Haze March 2011Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 59(7):3385-90 DOI: 10.1021/jf104724k; Elyana Cuevas Miriam Rodriguez Arzaba Silka Hillebrand Peter Winterhalter ; The study investigated the anthocyanin content in four varieties of black carrots and found a range of anthocyanin levels, from 1.5 milligrams per 100 grams up to 97.9 milligrams per 100 grams.

Carotenoid biosynthesis genes provide evidence of geographical subdivision and extensive linkage disequilibrium in the carrot Jeremy Clotault � Emmanuel Geoffriau � Eric Lionneton � Mathilde Briard � Didier Peltier Received: 21 October 2009 / Accepted: 3 April 2010 / Published online: 22 April 2010 Springer-Verlag 2010 - Theor Appl Genet (2010) 121:659�672 DOI 10.1007/s00122-010-1338-1

Effect of industrial juice concentrate processing on phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of black carrots; S Suzme, D Boyacioglu, G Toydemir, E Capanoglu International Journal of Food Science & Technology 49 (3), 819-829

-Characterization of phenolic acids in black carrots (Daucus carota ssp. sativus var. atrorubens Alef.) by high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry Dietmar Kammerer Reinhold Carle Andreas Schieber

- Anthocyanin profile and antioxidant capacity of black carrots (Daucus carota L. spp. sativus var. atrorubens Af.) from Cuevas Bajas, Spain February 2014 Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 33(1):71-76 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2013.11.005

Clarification and pasteurisation effects on monomeric anthocyanins and percent polymeric colour of black carrot (Daucus carota L.) juice Meltem T�rkyılmaz 1, Oktay Yemiş, Mehmet Ozkan; PMID: 23107727 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.013

• Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Anthocyanin Composition Of Black Carrot (Daucus Carota Ssp. Sativus Var. Atrorubens Alef.) Cultivars Antonina, Beta Sweet, Deep Purple, And Purple Haze; E.C. Montilla, et al.
• Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Colour And Antioxidant Properties Of Cyanidin-based Anthocyanin Pigments; F.C. Stintzing, et al.
• Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry; Protective Effects Of Anthocyanins Against Amyloid Β-peptide-induced Damage In Neuro-2A Cells; P.H. Shih, et al.
• Molecular Nutrition and Food Research; Anthocyanin-rich Extracts Suppress The DNA-damaging Effects Of Topoisomerase Poisons In Human Colon Cancer Cells; M. Esselen, et al.
• Prepared Foods: Natural Colour Myths
• Studies on the inheritance of root colour and carotenoid content in red x yellow and red x white crosses of carrot, daucus carota l.l J. G. Buishand and W. H. Gabelman Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA 1979
• Cured, fermented and smoked foods : proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 2010 - Elizabeth Field: Marmalade's dual role as a Medicine and a Preserve.
• Akhtar, S.; Rauf, A.; Imran, M.; Qamar, M.; Riaz, M.; Mubarak, M.S. Black carrot (Daucus carota L.), dietary and health promoting perspectives of its polyphenols: A review. Trend Food Sci. Technol. 2017, 66, 36�47 March 2021Plants 10(3):564 Federica Blando et al
• Black Carrot-A Rich Source of Anthocyanins - Dr Tanveer Alam (2019) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dr-Tanveer-Alam/publication/338159850\_Black\_Carrot-A\_Rich\_Source\_of\_Anthocyanins/links/5e03331692851c836499344b/Black-Carrot-A-Rich-Source-of-Anthocyanins.pdf

OtherReference material here.

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