Why Baby Carrots Are Evil (2024)

They started appearing in the late '80s. At first, they seemed harmless enough. "Baby carrots," the flimsy plastic packages announced. Already peeled. Bite-sized. Perfect for a quick snack or a dip in some hummus. What could be bad?

But soon, their true ambitions became painfully clear. They began appearing on dinner plates, cooked, alongside meatloaf and roast chicken, as if there was no such thing as actual, normal-size carrots.

This Orwellian nightmare will continue unless we all rise up to stop it. And we should stop it. Here's why.

They're not actually babies.

Baby carrots are in fact full-grown carrots, whittled down into earplug-shaped cylinders. They aren't sweeter, fresher, or younger than the bunches of carrots they're sold alongside. In fact, they're often made from older carrots, hence the starchy, not-very-sweet flavor you get from some bags.

They Get Slimy.

Sure, it's nice not to have to peel your carrots. But you know what happens to peeled carrots when they've spent a little too much time in a plastic bag? Slime.

They Look Sad on a Dinner Plate.

Whatever happened to the humble, old-school bias-cut carrot? These simple slices used to be the way all of America consumed their cooked carrots. Nowadays, we see folks split carrots lengthwise into quarters, then cut them into gorgeous long spears. Takes a couple seconds, looks like a million bucks. Swap in whole baby carrots instead, and somehow your plate looks a bit more cafeteria than homemade.

Photo by Marcus Nilsson

You Can't Shave Them.

Try shaving a baby carrot into the gorgeous, curly strips seen above. You can't. In fact, you'd probably shave off bits of your fingers instead. Yep, the coolest new thing we like to do with carrots is something a baby carrot just can't help you with.

And You Miss Out on the Fancy Fronds.

You know those frilly fronds on top of bunch carrots? They're not there just for their looks. These bright, peppery leaves are delicious when blended with ingredients like garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice and served on top of—you guessed it—roasted (adult) carrots. Try to get this gorgeous effect with baby carrots. Just try.

Why Baby Carrots Are Evil (2024)

FAQs

What is the story behind baby carrots? ›

In the early 1980s, Yurosek found that many of his carrots were not saleable because they were “ugly” — they weren't the size or shape that could be sold at the grocery store. Instead of tossing these “ugly” carrots, he used an industrial bean cutter to shape them into what are now called “baby carrots.”

Why do baby carrots taste funny? ›

Terpenoids are highest when carrots are young, so carrots harvested too early can be bitter. But baby carrots are actually made from mature carrots, so if you have a soapy baby carrot, storage is most likely the culprit.

Is it bad to eat a whole bag of baby carrots? ›

Eating large quantities of baby carrots is not likely to cause adverse effects. However, if you eat a very large amount on a regular basis, it's possible to develop a condition called carotenemia. Carotenemia is a yellowing of the skin caused by the high consumption of beta carotene, including carrots.

What is the secret of baby carrots? ›

But here's the big secret about baby carrots: They're actually pieces of carrots. "Cut into two-inch pieces and peeled, and put in a bag," explained Jeff Huckaby, the CEO of Grimmway Farms, the biggest carrot grower on Earth.

What is the moral lesson of the story the carrot seed? ›

The Carrot Seed was published in 1945 but it still teaches the importance of patience, love for people, places and things and perseverance. The story is wonderfully simple and easy to follow. The Carrot Seeds works as a picture book, as well as for those children who are prereaders, and in the process of reading.

What does it mean when baby carrots split? ›

Splitting of roots is a disorder, usually caused by moisture levels fluctuating greatly during the growing season. Beetroot, carrots, parsnips, radish and other root crops are all affected.

Are baby carrots healthier than regular carrots? ›

The popular one-pound bags of small carrots you find in grocery stores — often labeled “cut and peeled baby carrots” or “baby style” — are basically just as nutritious as other carrots. They are just regular carrots that have been peeled, washed and chopped into two-inch pieces to create easy-to-eat finger food.

Are baby carrots natural? ›

They're not actually “baby.” The package might claim otherwise, but most carrots sold as “baby carrots” are just regular carrots that have been cut into two-inch pieces, shaved, and polished down to that snackable size. They don't actually taste like real carrots.

Are baby carrots naturally grown? ›

Baby carrots

The immature roots of the carrot plant are sometimes harvested simply as the result of crop thinning, but are also grown to this size as a specialty crop. Certain cultivars of carrots have been bred to be used at the "baby" stage.

Is 2 carrots a day too much? ›

You can have carrots daily and as part of a healthy, balanced diet. You are unlikely to get carotenemia (turning your skin an orange-yellow color) unless you eat too many carrots and other carotene-rich foods too often. Is chewing on carrots good for you? Yes.

Can dogs eat carrots? ›

Yes. Like many other fruits and vegetables, dogs get health benefits from carrots. In fact, every part of this vegetable, from the carrot itself to the leafy green tops, is safe for dogs to eat. They're a good, natural treat, and most dogs seem to like the flavor, too.

Do you need to wash bagged baby carrots? ›

Bagged or ready-to-eat, fresh-cut produce

If the product is not labeled "washed," "triple washed," or "ready-to-eat," it must be washed before eating.

Why are baby carrots not sweet? ›

Baby carrots are in fact full-grown carrots, whittled down into earplug-shaped cylinders. They aren't sweeter, fresher, or younger than the bunches of carrots they're sold alongside. In fact, they're often made from older carrots, hence the starchy, not-very-sweet flavor you get from some bags.

Can dogs eat baby carrots? ›

In general, when it comes to serving carrots, the same rules apply as with other treats: they should make up less than 10% of your pup's daily calorie intake. An average-sized pup can safely eat 2-3 baby carrots per day but make sure they're chopped up into smaller pieces to avoid choking hazards.

Why do big carrots taste better than baby carrots? ›

For one, these days, with all the demand, there aren't really enough weird-looking carrots to fill the need. So baby carrots are also often made with older carrots. As carrots age, the natural sugars turn to starch, which is why you might find that baby carrots frequently seem to taste a little less sweet.

What was the cartoon about the kid eating carrots? ›

The series follows Henry Wiggins, a boy who has an extraordinary ability to make his wishes come true when eating his mother's mushy carrots. This was the first stop-motion animated series to be entirely produced in Canada.

Who is the father of baby carrots? ›

Mike Yurosek, inventor of the 'baby carrots' and founder of the Bunny-Luv Carrot company. Mr. Yurosek was born on September 28, 1922, in California to a family of Polish immigrants. He started farming when he was just 17 year old.

Why do carrots and baby carrots taste different? ›

For one, these days, with all the demand, there aren't really enough weird-looking carrots to fill the need. So baby carrots are also often made with older carrots. As carrots age, the natural sugars turn to starch, which is why you might find that baby carrots frequently seem to taste a little less sweet.

Why do people like baby carrots? ›

I know that this may seem weird, but I like baby carrots BECAUSE they don't taste like carrots. I'm really not a big fan of carrots, but I can handle the baby carrots because they taste less carrotty... and while they may not be as good as normal ones nutritional, they're still pretty good for you.

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