Purple Heritage Carrots, 2kg

There are records of carrot cultivation in Afghanistan as far back as 1,000 years ago. It is likely the roots were purple or yellow at that time and it is only later that the orange hue was established.

Carrots belong to the umbelliferae family, which is also home to parsnips, fennel, cumin and dill. The wine-coloured skin of this heritage variety comes from the plant pigment anthocyanin. Inside the flesh is a vibrant orange and it has a crisp bite and lovely sweet flavour. The purple colour will remain with light cooking – we recommend steaming then tossing in butter and parsley – but will gradually gave way to orange with longer cooking times.