Red Beets
Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 46.64
This item was last sold on : 05/07/25
Description/Taste
Red beets vary in size, typically averaging 3-7 centimeters in diameter, and have a globular to ovate shape with a small taproot extending from the non-stem end. The firm skin is dark red to purple and is semi-smooth with tiny root hairs, russet, and scrapes covering the surface. Each beet varies in texture and shape depending on growing conditions. Underneath the surface, the flesh is a deep crimson and is dense, aqueous, and crunchy. When cooked, Red beets develop a tender, soft texture with a mildly sweet, earthy flavor. The beet plant also grows leafy stalks that are edible and have a taste similar to swiss chard.
Seasons/Availability
Red beets are available year-round.
Current Facts
Red beets, botanically classified as Beta vulgaris, are edible, underground roots that sprout tall leaves and are members of the Amaranthaceae family. The term Red beet is a broad descriptor used to encompass many different varieties of beets, including one of the most popular red cultivars known as the Detroit Red. Favored by chefs for their earthy flavor and deep crimson coloring, Red beets are cultivated primarily as a table root, used in everyday cooking in both sweet and savory preparations.
Nutritional Value
Red beets contain antioxidants known as betalains, which are pigments that give the root its dark hue, and this pigment is believed to help cleanse the body and remove toxins from the bloodstream. Red beets also contain iron, vitamins C and B6, magnesium, manganese, potassium, folate, and fiber to spur digestion and cleansing.
Applications
Red beets are popularly consumed raw in salads or are utilized in cooked applications such as roasting, steaming, frying, and boiling. It is important to note that Red beets will bleed a dark red hue when raw or cooked, and this liquid has the potential to stain surfaces and skin. The roots can be roasted and incorporated into soups, burgers, and quiche, cooked into pasta, blended into sauces, or sliced thinly into wedges and fried into chips. Red beets can also be mixed into hummus or used in baked goods such as cupcakes, cheesecake, tarts, and brownies. In addition to the roots, the leaves are also edible, commonly sautéed or used in salads, and are prized for their tender, crisp texture. Red beets pair well with fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, pears, and avocadoes, greens such as kale, spinach, arugula, and pea shoots, cheeses such as pecorino, goat, brie, and gorgonzola, pepitas, and walnuts. The roots will keep 2-3 weeks with the leaves removed and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. With the leaves still attached the roots will keep up to one week. The green leaves will only keep 1-2 days once removed from the roots and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In Ancient Greece and Rome, Red beets were highly revered and were first cultivated for their leafy green stalks. These civilizations also developed methods to grow the plants year-round as the population grew to consume the leaves and occasionally the roots. In mythology, Red beets are considered an aphrodisiac as the goddess of love, Aphrodite, was rumored to have consumed the roots to enhance her attractiveness. Many Greeks also believed that eating from the same beet would cause a man and a woman to fall in love.
Geography/History
Red beets are native to the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa and have been growing wild since ancient times. Initially, the plant was cultivated for its leafy green tops, and the roots were often discarded or used as animal feed. Primary consumption of the root itself did not take place until the 1500s, and the discovery of the beet's high sugar content also led to its increased agricultural value, spreading the root throughout the world via immigration and trade. Today Red beets can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
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