MikeM
grub
frost-free 365.25 + clayish soil + altitude 210m + latitude 34S + rain 848mm/yr
Posts: 91
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Post by MikeM on Dec 15, 2008 10:51:15 GMT -5
Last season I grew Cosmic Purple Carrots, for the first time venturing beyond the confines of the staple Ordinary Orange varieties I usually grow. Seeds were acquired from Baker Creek, and I had no problems growing them at all.
Came time for the Taste Test, I gave them to my wife and a friend to taste -- raw, of course -- and munched on one myself, too. The taste was... uninspiring. The texture, woody. Then came the nasty surprise.
Every one of us experienced a burning, itching sensation in the back of our throats... really unpleasant! Each of us thought it was "just me", until Kate said, "Is it just me, but... my throat is really hurting. Could it be those Carrots?"
Hardly a way to sustain enthusiasm for a novelty!
Has anybody else experienced this, or it "just us"? Needless to say I haven't bothered to grow them again this season.
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Post by canadamike on Dec 15, 2008 12:08:35 GMT -5
My own experience with them, and comments from people having never seen or heard about them is at the opposite end of the spectrum. I could bet my ass the lot has been corrupted by Queen Ann's Lace, the wild and original form of carrot. They grow wild all over in North America. The taste experience you mention is EXACTLY what one experiences eating the said wild things. Exactly. It could have happened to orange carrots, in fact it happened to me once. I endep up with excellent compost material. Mike, believe another Mike  ! You cannot draw any conclusion based on your experience. Usually, they have a little stronger taste than orange, but nothing sufficient to be considered a change of experience. Once cooked, they are more flavorful, OR so many people think. They also benefit a lot from a little frost, something you might never end up seing.. I am glad to see you posted your picture. It's nice to put a face on a name. GET THE HINT, PEOPLE. ONLY THE 2 MIKES ARE DOING IT NOW. DOES COURAGE COME WITH THE NAME??? |
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Post by johno on Dec 15, 2008 12:18:19 GMT -5
That sounds terrible! I would email baker Creek about it right away. Mike is probably right about the cause. They do have issues like that occasionally.
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Post by canadamike on Dec 15, 2008 12:34:49 GMT -5
Oups!! I had forgotten Johno had is pic here. Johno, your new name is MIke!! ;D
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Post by Rebsie on Dec 15, 2008 13:12:24 GMT -5
I guess my name is Mike too ... maybe I should go with Mikette.
This is really interesting info anyway ... I have been trying Cosmic Purple myself this year but I screwed them up and the carrots are the size of pipecleaners. Maybe I should try mine anyway and see what they're like.
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Post by canadamike on Dec 15, 2008 16:58:34 GMT -5
Oups, I forgot about you, my dear Mikette!! ;D ;D ;D
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 15, 2008 19:49:01 GMT -5
I really tried hard to put my picture up and failed... I am a 6'2'' man with curly blonde hair and ... purple eyes... yeah, yeah.
(average height, brown eyes & hair... blah blah blah)
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Post by canadamike on Dec 15, 2008 21:27:54 GMT -5
I agree: he's a good looking guy!!! ;D
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Post by flowerpower on Dec 16, 2008 5:43:04 GMT -5
Mike, I would definitely contact GreenZone over at Baker Creek forums if you think it was the seed. Others may have the same problem. But you are in South Africa and carrots always get sweeter after a hard frost. Could this be part of the problem? It still doesnt explain the burning though.
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Post by Alan on Dec 16, 2008 13:46:56 GMT -5
There could be some out crossing with wild carrots which is fairly common explaining the burning sensation, however depending on just how strong the burning situation is it may be something much more common.
We have grown some purple carrots here of different varieties and from different sources over the past couple of years and they do have their own "spice" and sometimes, particularly in dry and or warm weather that "spice" gets pretty unbearable, however as I said above I don't doubt that these have been crossed as it is fairly common.
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Post by Rebsie on Dec 16, 2008 15:21:50 GMT -5
Yay, good to see pictures of you both, Mike and Mikella.  |
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 16, 2008 16:02:19 GMT -5
Finally, a picture, a picture. It may be dark and hard to see but at least I exist!
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Post by canadamike on Dec 16, 2008 16:19:33 GMT -5
Thanks to all the Mikes of this site ;D
Now other folks: your turn...
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Post by americangardener on Dec 16, 2008 16:45:47 GMT -5
I am glad to see you posted your picture. It's nice to put a face on a name. GET THE HINT, PEOPLE. ONLY THE 2 MIKES ARE DOING IT NOW. DOES COURAGE COME WITH THE NAME??? Hey i can't go changing my name now.. I'm just getting used to this one.  You'll have to wait till after chistmas now all you Mikes.. i'm not gonna post a pic till after i shave off this santa beard. And that won't be till after Xmas.. can't dissappoint all the little kids now. Besides with all these handsome and beautifull people posting pics.. now i'd be embarassed to show my ugly mug.  But, after chistmas, i'll see what i can do. Maybe take a pic with the webcam that i never use. Then i can post that. Then you'll all be sorry you weren't just talking bout carrots. ;D Dave |
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Post by canadamike on Dec 16, 2008 20:27:38 GMT -5
Well Dave, even cute as a button you wouldn't attract me anyway...  |
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! You cannot draw any conclusion based on your experience.
You'll have to wait till after chistmas now all you Mikes.. i'm not gonna post a pic till after i shave off this santa beard. And that won't be till after Xmas.. can't dissappoint all the little kids now.
