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Red Beets
Inventory, 25 lbs : 63.63
This item was last sold on : 07/25/24
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.
Mak Mak Organics | Oceanside CA | 858-740-4217 |
Rosemary Trattoria | Coronado CA | 619-669-8435 |
Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
Maya Moon Collective | San Diego CA | 775-225-8649 |
Dot Café | San Diego CA | 914-263-1424 |
Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
Counterpoint | San Diego CA | 619-564-6722 |
Continental Catering Inc | La Mesa CA | 907-738-9264 |
Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
Campfire Bar | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
El Sueno | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
San Diego Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-758-6334 |
Michele Coulon Dessertier | San Diego CA | 858-456-5098 |
Dija Mara 2021 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-5376 |
Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
Alexander's on 30th | San Diego CA | 858-774-3062 |
BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-723-8183 |
Saiko Sushi-North Park | San Diego CA | 619-886-6656 |
Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
Solana Beach Kitchen | Solana Beach CA | 610-717-7217 |
Oyster and Pearl Bar Restaurant | La Mesa CA | 619-303-8118 |
Ciccia Osteria | San Diego CA | 619-674-4069 |
Yoann Taboyan, Personal Chef | San Diego CA | 347-277-1958 |
Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
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The Pearl Hotel | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
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Gravity Heights Mission Valley | San Diego CA | 619-384-5993 |
Avant | San Diego CA | 858-675-8505 |
Hilton Garden Inn - Homewood Suites San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-696-6300 |
Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
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Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
Southwestern Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-0438 |
Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
Farmer and The Seahorse | San Diego CA | 619-302-3682 |
Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
GreensPlease | Poway CA | 858-842-1001 |
Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
Crust Pizzeria Carlsbad 2019 | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
Barrio Star | San Diego CA | 619-501-7827 |
Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
The Santaluz Club Inc - Main Club Beverage | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
Blue Ocean | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-4959 |
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-381-8289 |
The Tavern Bar | Coronado CA | 602-628-5890 |
Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
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Don Pietro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7205 |
La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
Viejas Casino Buffett | Alpine CA | 760-845-9931 |
El Agave Restaurant & Tequileria | San Diego CA | 619-220-0692 |
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Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 626-319-6878 |
The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
La Clochette Du Coin-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 619-402-7911 |
Qero | Encinitas CA | Chris 702-334-8845 |
Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
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Poseidon on the Beach | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
Sandpiper Wood Fired Grill & Oysters | La Jolla CA | 858-228-5655 |
The Pearl Hotel Bar | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Animae | San Diego CA | 619-925-7908 |
Extraordinary Desserts Union St. | San Diego CA | 619-294-7001 |
Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
Wonderland Ocean Pub | San Diego CA | 619-255-3358 |
Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
The Guild Hotel 2024 | San Diego CA | 619-764-5108 |
Parisien Gourmandises | La Jolla CA | 858-352-6552 |
Salvatore's | San Diego CA | 619-544-1865 |
Trust Restaurant | San Diego CA | 609-780-7572 |
Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760-603-6360 |
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The Kitchen at Torrey View | San Diego CA | 702-489-2129 |
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Toast Cafe | San Diego CA | 858-208-9422 |
Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
Asti Ristorante | San Diego CA | 619-232-8844 |
Pacific Yacht Agents | Los Angeles CA | 808-214-0970 |
Isola La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-412-5566 |
Armonia LLC | San Diego CA | 619-724-7210 |
Revolution Roasters | Oceanside CA | 760-330-6827 |
Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
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Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
Optimum Health Institute of San Diego | Lemon Grove CA | 619-589-4022 |
Craft House Fashion Valley | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
Sbicca Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 619-417-2587 |
Il Giardino di Lilli | La Jolla CA | 619-467-9897 |
Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
Sugar Bear Enterprises | San Diego CA | 925-383-3623 |
Park Commons - ARE | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
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Pokewan (Del Mar) | San Diego CA | 858-847-2881 |
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-6063 |
The Promiscuous Fork-La Jolla Blvd | La Jolla CA | 858-776-3246 |
Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
Madi | San Diego CA | 320-491-1217 |
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Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC) | San Diego CA | 858-886-9909 |
The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
Gravity Heights Restaurant and Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-551-5105 |
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