Kitchen Tip: #SaveTheCarrots🥕🥕

Carrots are a kitchen essential, but they tend to lose their crunch if they sit for too long. Whether you’re dealing with limp carrots or looking to keep them fresh from the start, we've got you covered! The TLDR? Carrots lose their crunch and get limp when they've lost moisture! Here are some easy tips to revive your carrots and ensure they stay crisp and delicious for longer.

Store Carrots and Keep Them Fresh

1. Store Carrots in Water 🥕💧
   After removing the greens (which can draw moisture away from the roots), store your carrots in a container of cold water in the fridge. This trick helps maintain their crunch. Just remember to change the water every few days to keep them fresh. Need help remembering? Attach a LightTag to the glass or container and set it for a few days as a reminder-- when it's yellow-- change the water and reset the Tag.
   
   
2. Wrap in Damp Paper Towels
   Alternatively, you can wrap your carrots in a damp paper towel before placing them in a loosely sealed bag or container. This method ensures just the right amount of moisture to prevent your carrots from drying out and going limp. If you go this route, don't seal the bag completely because it can promote mold growth. 
   
   
3. Avoid Certain Fruits & Veggies 
   Carrots will start to decay more quickly when stored near ethylene-producing fruits and veggies like avocados, tomatoes and apples. By keeping them out of range of these and other culprits, you'll make sure to keep them in top form.

Revive Limp Carrots

Ice Water Soak 🧊
The easiest way to revive limp carrots is by soaking them in ice-cold water. Simply fill a bowl with cold water, add ice cubes, and submerge the carrots for a few hours. The cold water will rehydrate the carrots, making them crisp and crunchy again.
Our favorite way to soak is either in an open mason jar or a Stasher bag (it's reusable and silicone, so a great option for most of your food storage needs).

Don’t Toss Limp Carrots– Try This Instead

1. Steam for a Softer Texture♨️
   If your carrots are too soft to eat raw, steam them lightly. This softens them up while bringing out their natural sweetness, making them perfect for a quick side dish or to toss into salads and soups.
2. Roast for a Flavor Boost🔥
   When your carrots are no longer snacking material, roasting is a great way to bring them back to life. Toss them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast until they’re golden and caramelized. The heat enhances their flavor and gives them a delicious sweetness.
3. Blend Into Soups or Smoothies🍵
   If you can’t get your carrots to bounce back, they’re still great for soups or smoothies. Simply blend them into a carrot soup with spices like ginger and turmeric, or toss them into a smoothie for added nutrients. Limp texture doesn’t matter when they’re pureed!

Storing Big Carrots vs. Tiny Carrots

Large carrots tend to stay fresh longer, so they’re great for storing in the fridge with minimal care. Just trim off the greens, and store them in water or a damp paper towel to keep them fresh. If they start to soften, a quick ice water soak or roasting them will bring them back to life.

Baby carrots, tend to dry out faster. Store them in water or wrap them in a damp paper towel to prevent them from getting limp. If they do go soft, an ice water soak can restore some of their crunch. Otherwise, they work well when roasted or blended into soups.

How Long Should Raw Carrots Last?

At room temperature, carrots only last 3-5 days.
In the fridge? They'll last up to 4 weeks if stored correctly. 

By following these storage tips, your carrots—whether large or small—will stay crisp and fresh for longer. And if they do start to go limp, don’t worry—we’ve got plenty of ways to revive them so you can enjoy every bite!