buying tips

Choose carrots that are firm, well formed, smooth and blemish-
free with a good orange colour. A deeper colour indicates more vitamin A.

Avoid carrots that are wilted, flabby or cracked and those with large green "sun-burned" areas at the top. Smaller carrots tend to be sweeter and more tender. Excessive masses of leaf stems at the neck often indicate carrots with undesirably large cores. However, the condition of the tops does not indicate the quality of the root. Spring carrots are often sold with the leaves attached. The leaves should be fresh and bright green.

Look for carrots in your supermarket which are presented on misted chiller shelves.

Carrots should be available all year round in New Zealand with spring carrots mainly available during spring and summer.