co-operative Freshgro is encouraging suppliers to go back to their roots with the development of white and purple Chantenay carrots, which not only hark back to the traditional varieties our ancestors used to eat, but are sweeter too.The white ‘Sugar Babe’ Chantenay carrot is the sweetest of the varieties and launched in March to a positive reception from the wholesalers who were the first to stock it. It will be available until May and then returns in late September along with the new purple variety, just in time for winter menus. Both varieties boast the distinctive, traditional flavour that Chantenay is famous for. In addition, unlike other purple veg, the purple Chantenay carrot retains its rich vibrant colour when cooked.
Although different coloured carrots have made brief appearances in UK stores in the past, this launch will be a first for the Chantenay variety and will also offer large scale availability.
They give a nod to the multi-coloured history of carrots; they are originally thought to have been purple, originating from Afghanistan around the 7th Century AD, but in medieval times, a rainbow of colours were available. It was not until the 17th Century that they turned orange, when patriotic Dutch growers bred the orange carrot in honour of their king, William of Orange, after he successfully led a revolt against Spain to win his country’s independence.
The Freshgro farming co-operative now controls 90 per cent of Chantenay retail production in the UK, around 20,000 tonnes, which equates to 10 per cent of total retail carrot sales.
