(In dry format is known as Carrot Flakes, Carrot Powder)

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China is the globe's largest cultivator of this root vegetable. Sweet and mild in flavour, carrots belong to the Ampiaceae family, among parsnips and celery. 

Carrot flakes are created by dehydrating fresh carrots, while carrot powder is a result of milling. 

What flavours go with Carrot?

• Anise
• Apple
• Cabbage
• Cardamom
• Celery
• Cinnamon
• Coconut
• Cucumber
• Cumin
• Hazelnut
• Olive
• Onion
• Orange
• Parsley
• Peanut
• Turnip
• Walnut

The sweetness of carrot flakes compliments the sweetness of tomato powder making the perfect Sofrito seasoning blend of Catalan heritage. 

Health Benefits - Carrots

Do carrot flakes have nutritional value?

Not only do carrot flakes preserve the nutrients and minerals from carrots, but the nutritional density actually increases after dehydration. They contain an abundance of the antioxidant beta carotene important to your diet and are also rich in vitamins. This includes vitamin C, which plays a role in immune support, cardiovascular function, and support for those who live with diabetes and skin health. 

Interesting facts

• Traditionally carrot roots were red or purple. However, the Dutch introduced the common orange variety to the world in the 16th Century.

• The Japanese gave us yellow carrots. Today you may see all four colours in supermarkets, but it is fair to say that orange is still the predominant variety. 
• During World War II, the British Government, supported by Walt Disney, informed the public that carrots would help improve night vision, as there were long periods of blackouts between 1940 and 1945. The public embraced said messaging. In fact, many of the population are still persuaded by this. However, there was underlying propaganda; the British public was on food rations because of the war, and carrots were plentiful and cheap - an easy win for the British Government from an availability perspective. The then Minister of Food was known to have said, "A carrot a day keeps blackout at bay". The same propaganda was also embraced by the Americans, probably due to Walt Disney's involvement.
• Although carrots don't improve your eyesight, a lack of vitamin A would cause sight impairment and eventually loss if not addressed.

• Snowmen have been known to use carrots for noses from as early as the 1300s. 

Chief Flavour Compound

The terpenes of carrots are very complex. The temperature of the soil they are grown in may alter the sweetness of the carrot. 

Predominantly sweet with multiple sugars: glucose, fructose and sucrose. Terpinolene and myrcene give carrots their harshness in taste. Myrcene is found in allspice, lemongrass and cumin. It also encompasses eugenin found in cloves which gives carrots its bitterness. Pyrazines give it the earthy flavour profile found in black or green tea, malt, paprika and sesame.