Carrots: Storage

Washing can damage carrots’ protective skin, so they’re best stored muddy – they’ll keep well in a paper bag in a cool place for several weeks. Once washed, they’re likely to deteriorate faster and are best stored in the fridge and eaten within a week. Don’t worry too much about a little softening – it’s often a sign that they’ve been grown slowly and without irrigation. Slightly floppy carrots can be fantastically sweet.

If your carrots arrive with their tops on (likely in the summer), twist them off to avoid water being sucked from the roots. Keep the tops fresh in a glass of water, like cut flowers, and use sparingly in salads, as a garnish, or whizzed into pesto along with another herb such as parsley or basil.