General Information
Black Knight carrots are readily distinguishable by their ink-stained skin with variegations of orange and ivory blushing through from the root’s core. The flesh’s color is a contrasting warm yellow. Black Knight carrots are typical in shape with a conical form, tapering at the root end to a point. Their texture is crunchy and firm. Black Knight carrot’s flavor is memorably spicy, with notes of celery and parsley. Black Knight carrots display more flavor because of their high content of anthocyanins and terpenoids and low sugar content. Black Knight carrots coloring is water soluble, so cooking will pale its intense coloring.
History
Within the subspecies Daucus Carota sativus, two varieties are recognized: The Western carrot (variety sativus) and the Eastern carrot (variety atrorubens). These carrots evolved in different time periods within different geographical regions. Black Knight carrots are a descendent of the Eastern wild carrot, a purple-rooted carrot native to Afghanistan in the region where the Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountains meet.