Beetroot is a two-year-old plant that belongs to the amaranth family. Previously, this plant was attributed to the haze family. Today, there are both annual and perennial plants of this family. Beet genus includes 13 species of plants. But in culture, only two of them are grown - ordinary and leaf beets.
To the delight of culinary gourmets, there is a wide variety of this plant. Tired of familiar paints? Want to diversify the vegetable table? Culinary experts recommend paying attention to the special bright varieties of this root crop of alternative colors. So what color is beetroot?
Rainbow plant
Experts say that the tissues of any beet contain various plant pigments. It is they who stain the root crop. In many varieties, these shades are clogged with a dark red color, so others do not appear. In exactly the same way, all the components of borscht or vinaigrette are painted in bright beetroot tones.
But what color can beets really be? After all, we are used to using only varieties of a dark red hue.
Few people know that beets can be not only red or burgundy. Today, edible root crops with a white, striped or golden core are common. There are varieties whose root crops change their color from white to red as they mature. But what sort and color of the most delicious beets?
The original coloring boasts not only roots, but also the tops - leaves and petioles. Many summer residents will appreciate these varieties, because the beds will look very original and elegant.
Golden beetroot
You may be surprised, but in our market you can find various varieties of beets. What color to choose a root crop? For example, yellow fruits are sold under the name “golden globe” or “golden ball”. But these plant varieties are not listed in the State Register. Therefore, we can assume that these vegetables are simply renamed foreign.
The most common varieties with light flesh include:
- Burpee's Golden.
- Boldor.
- Golden Detroit.
The oldest varieties of such beets include Burpee's Golden. The disadvantage of this plant is the low germination of seeds. For this reason, agronomists recommend sowing in several stages. The name of the variety is not accidental. The bright flesh glows like gold. Even if you do not take into account the color features, the root crop would have earned its name due to its excellent taste and rich composition of nutrients.
Among the representatives of yellow beets, a special place is occupied by the Boldor variety. The flesh is bright sunny and the skin is orange. The contrast of colors is especially noticeable with bright green leaves. This variety is characterized by a higher germination of seeds compared to the previous one. And all root crops have almost the same size and shape.
The beet pulp is tasty and sweet. Young leaves can also be eaten. They are eaten raw, fried or steamed.
Another variety of beets with bright pulp is a rare variety of Detroit - Golden Detroit. Fruits with a golden, rich color flesh and excellent taste. Compared with other varieties, adult root crops of this beet do not coarse and do not lose juice when damaged. Foliage is also used in cooking. They can be collected throughout the season. Foliage is used as spinach.
The Golden Detroit variety is well-stored, resistant to shoots.
White beets
What color beets can please any housewife? The answer is simple - yellow and white. After all, these varieties do not stain hands during cooking and do not leave stubborn stains on clothing.
Popular varieties of white beets:
- Albina Veredun.
- Yellow Cylindrical.
In Europe, they consider the variety of white beets Albina Veredun to be popular. Sometimes this root crop for sale can be seen under the name Albino, Snowhite or Albino White. This variety is interesting to customers not only because of its snow-white pulp. Its wavy beautiful leaves are very valuable.
Many housewives will say with confidence that this root crop is not suitable for cooking borsch. And so it is. But all the culinary experts say that soups with the addition of white beets will have a pleasant, soft and rich taste. Puree from this vegetable is served as a side dish for poultry and fish.
Leaves of this beet are also used. They decorate dishes, they contain many minerals and vitamins. Therefore, greens are also eaten.
Today, Yellow Cylindrical is also gaining particular popularity. This is a cylindrical yellow root crop outside. The pulp is white, tasty and very juicy.
Incredible colors
Chioggi can be called a surprise. After all, when growing this root vegetable for the first time, many do not know what bright colors they will have to face during cooking.
Round bright root vegetable is covered with orange-red skin. The foliage is shiny, dark green in color. Petioles are ruby red. But, cutting the root crop, you will see an alternation of red and white rings.
As they ripen, all red rings gradually expand, and white, on the contrary, tapers. During cooking, the colors are mixed, and the root crop inside becomes a pale pink.
The taste of the root crop is also attractive - sweet, delicate and juicy.
Such a vegetable in any form will be a worthy decoration of any dish.
So, we found out what color beets are. These varieties are actively used for cooking various dishes. Sure, there are technical varieties that are also very important.
Sugar beet
This is a technical culture. It is intended for the production of ethanol and sugar. The roots of this plant contain up to 22% sucrose.
What color sugar beets, everyone knows. The skin is yellowish, the flesh is white. This biennial plant is grown as an annual plant to produce a good root crop. Depending on the variety, the mass of one vegetable reaches from 300 g to 3 kg. The leaves are bright green.
This thermophilic plant is very demanding on the composition of the soil. Sugar beets grow best on chernozems.
Agronomists have proven that the roots of this plant contain many useful trace elements and vitamins. In folk medicine, sugar beet treatment methods are also known. And the benefits of using this root vegetable are in no way inferior to the effect of other varieties. Today, this variety is often grown in home gardens. It is used as a sweetener in baked goods, compotes, syrups and salads.
Be sure to clean the root crop before use. The peel has a characteristic unpleasant taste.
Conclusion
Today, there are many types and varieties of beets. This root vegetable has become an indispensable product in our life. It contains a large number of vitamins and trace elements necessary for normal functioning of the body. Therefore, experiment, try. After all, now you know what color beets can be found on the shelves. Believe me, from a wide variety of varieties you will find exactly the one that you will most like.