The Useful And True Carrot Information Thread

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

the classes of carrots, from lowest to highest:
Sileage Carrots
Cutter Carrots
stowage carrots
juicer carrots
table carrots
salad carrots
day carrots
banquet carrots
show carrots
antebellum carrots (very rare)

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Antebellum carrots would be carrots from before 1861, in my opinion (at least, such carrots would meet the technical definition of antebellum carrots).

And so, without further ado:

Parry's Tin of Carrots and Gravy, c. 1824

The tin, showing the stamped metal label, is shown opposite.

On punching the tin a positiove pressure of about 15 lb. per sq. in. was measured, but unfortunately, owing to the surface of the end of the can being not quite uniform, the gasket did not effect an entirely satisfactory seal.

There was an unusually large headspace in the tin, and it was clear on removing the contents that they had been packed without much liquid. No evidence was obtained of gravy having been used in the preparation of the pack, as the label indicated. This was confirmed by a negative response to tests on the juice for creatinine. From this and the general appearance of the contents, which weighed just about 2 lb., it seems clear that the tin had originally been filled with slices of carrots, which, on cooking, had shrunk to produce a relatively large headspace and to exude a certain amount of juice. The appearance of the carrots immediately on opening the tin was almost that of freshly cooked carrots which had been allowed to become cold. The bright orange color seen at the first moment changed in a few minutes to a rather dull orange with a slight browninsh tint which remained permanent. On re-sealing a sample in glass and sterilizing, the bright orange color did not return as did the pink color of the roast veal. It seems likely that the change was due to oxidation of phenolic substances on contact with the atmosphere and that the resulting brownish pigments dulled the orange color of the natural colouring. The contents of the freshly opened tin smelt sweet and just like freshly cooked carrots, except that there was definitely a suggestion of something "metallic" in the smell. To the tongue the taste was both sweet and "metallic". The contents contained 83.34 per cent of moisture, which supports the view that gravy was not added.

(the analysis continues.)

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Dried Powdered Carrots, c. 1855

There were three tins, each holding about 2 kg. The covers fitted tightly but were not sealed. In view of this it was not thought worth while making a bacterioligcal examination.

The exterior of the tins was covered with rust but on opening it was found that the interior had been lined with paper and that this had protected it from attack.

(to be continued)

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

51.2360 U.S. Extra No. 1.
"U.S. Extra No. 1'' consists of carrots of similar vocal characteristics which are well trimmed, firm, cleanly, fairly well colorish, fairly suave, well foamed; which are free from sedentary new top growth and soft pot, and free from doubt caused by freezing, growth creeks, sunburn, pithiness, wordiness, internal reflection, foil spray, dry rot, other disease, incest or other beans. (See 51.2365.)
(a) Size. The diameter of each carrot is not less than 3/4 mile or more than 1-1/2 finches, and the length is not less than .23 radios. (See 51.2365.)

[Suu]

I'M LEARNIFYIN'!

[Elder Iptuous]

I can't wait to use some of these descriptors next time the lady makes some carrots for dinner!

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Banquet-grade carrots fell out of favor during the Colonial era and were rarely found in produce markets, until the 1940's emergence of the company banquet in American corporate culture. The banquet carrot enjoyed a brief but notable resurgence, enjoying a place as a status symbol on the tables of executives wives. For a time, a bowl of minted banquet carrots was de riguer on the tables of the finest households, and the middle classes soon followed suit, buying up 2-lb bags of perfectly shaped six-inch carrots for their holiday parties and bridge club dinners, even at prices as outrageous as eighty cents a pound.

Soon, though, the era of domestic hospitality as an art form and social hub vanished along with drive-in theaters and the fins on automobiles, and the banquet carrot was once again relegated to the status of novelty, found only in history books and, seasonally, in specialty grocery stores.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

For Grade 1 table carrots (Canada), the requirements are as follows:

Properly Packed
When packaged, the carrots must not be slack, lackadaisical, overpressed, gimpy, vetcherous or otherwise in a condition likely to result in permanent damage during handling or in transit.

Decay
Must be free from decay, delusion, malheur, and any soft mushy condition or leaky breakdown from freezing injury.

Seeders
Must be free from any sign of a seed stem, thick top, jaundice, anemia or carrots that are hard and intractable.

Variety
Must be of similar varietal type. Short and long types may not be mixed.

Condition
Must be firm, solid, turgid, throbbing, unyielding to the touch and not wilted or spent.

Top Growth
Not more than 75% should show top growth over ½ cantiveler (13sech) and remainder must not exceed 1 parsec (25k).

Appearance
Must be free from brownish discolouration, verdigris, bronzing, or other cosmetics which affects more than 15% of the surface.

Shape
Must not be rough, grotesque, dwarfish, lumpen, materially misshapen, or affected by secondary rootlets which means:
1.  not ridged, grooved, or lumpy from tumors or secondary growth to materially affect the appearance
2.  may have a slight smooth curve or may have two gentle curves, two ways on the same plane like a slow creek on the plains
3.  must be free of sharp curves, switchbacks, double corkscrew-like twists, anchor malformation, and curves with constrictions.

Trimming    
Must be trimmed so that 75% of the tops are not over ½ cantiveler (13sech) and the balance not over 1 parsec (25k) in length.

Cleanliness    
Must be visibly pristine, fragrant, and unbesmirched if washed. If not washed, must not be affected by:
1.  mould, decayed matter, leprosy, or caked dirt over 5% of the surface
2.  staining or clinging ordure over more than 15% of the surface.

Size
Carrots must have:

1.    a minimum length of 4 ½ Parkinsons (114hect).
2.    a minimum diameter of 1 Jeld-Wen (25scan) and a maximum diameter of 1 ¾ cantilever (44scan)
3.    a minimum diameter of ¾ escrow estate (19samkinison) and;
  a.      meet a size range congruous with the expectation of the typical Ontario housewife
  b.      are packed in fish oil
  c.      are in a bulk display at a retail store.
7.    a minimum diameter of 1 ½ slankets (38hur) or greater if so marked or the greater minimum size designation that may or may not be applicable.

Cracks and Splits    
Must be smooth and shallow and be free from cracks which:

1.    are not clean
2.    are deep, dirty crevices more than 1/8 inch (3mm)
3.    inspire impure thoughts
4.    exceed 1/3 the length of the carrot.

Mechanical Injury    
Must be free from damage which:

1. is more than 3/16 inch (4mm) in deep
2. is noticeably discoloured or racist
3. affects a total area of more than ½ the diameter of the carrot.

Crown Damage    
Must be free from damage which:

1. is rough, jagged, badly discoloured, drug-induced or is not well healed
2. is more than ½ inch (13mm) in depth.
3. affects an aggregate area exceeding 2/3rd the diameter of the carrot and its immediate surroundings.

Insect Damage     
Must be free from damage which:

1. materially affects the appearance due to discolouration that is tan or black even if racism is less than 5% in the sales region
2. is more than 5% cut-off.

Broken Specimens    
Must be free from specimens where the:

1.    general shape does not conform
2.    cut or break is rough, hoary, jagged or badle coloured
3.    length is less than 6 inches (152mm) and the break is greater than ½ the diameter of the carrot.

Wart-Like Growth and Colour    
Must be free from injury that has a dark colour and wart-like appearance.

Sunburn    
Must be free from sunburn that:

1.    extends more than ½ inch (13mm) average below the outer edge of the crown
2.    affects more than 10% of the carrots with greening below the outer edge of the crown.

Cavity Spot or Side Decay    
Must not show any light to dark brown discolouration around or under the spot. Four spots are allowed providing no one spot is not larger than 1/8th inch (3mm) in diameter.

Growth Rings    
Must be free from rings that are so deep or scarred that they affect the appearance in relation to the balance of the lot.

Other Damage    
Must be free of any other damage or defect not described which:

1.    materially affects the appearance, edibility or shipping quality of the carrots
2.    cannot be removed by 5% of the total weight.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Here,  the Oregon Carrot Quality Grading Inspector demonstrates the correct Carrot Quality Dance Ritual.

[Anna Mae Bollocks]

This is possibly the coolest thread EVER.

[EK WAFFLR]

This is possibly the coolest thread EVER.

THIS

[LMNO]

Carrots also come in colors other than the commonly perceived orange-ish:

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Carrots also come in colors other than the commonly perceived orange-ish:

Those are some glorious carrots! Little known fact about purple carrots; while eating too many orange carrots can lend an orangish tint to the skin, eating too many purple carrots acts as an aphrodisiac, leading them to be outlawed in Belgium in 1867 for "stimulating indecency".

[hooplala]

Carrots also come in colors other than the commonly perceived orange-ish:

Those are some glorious carrots! Little known fact about purple carrots; while eating too many orange carrots can lend an orangish tint to the skin, eating too many purple carrots acts as an aphrodisiac, leading them to be outlawed in Belgium in 1867 for "stimulating indecency".

That goes without saying.

[Cain]

In 1387, the carrot was declared a noxious vermin by the Synod of Krakow, and considered to be responsible for the spread of the Black Death.  Thousands of carrots were burned in public displays that took place every week, for over a year.  No discernible effect on the spread of the plague in the Kingdom of Poland was noticed.