Carrots can be found in a lot of dishes and should always be fresh. They’re packed with beta-carotene, which is great for your eyes and skin.
It’s important to know how to tell if carrots are bad so that you don’t accidentally eat something that could make you sick.
Do you have a bag of carrots that have been sitting in your fridge for a long time? Or you’re out shopping for fresh carrots but don’t know how to tell if carrots are bad?
In this article, I’ll show you a few ways that will help you figure out if the carrots you’re going to buy or the ones in your fridge have gone bad.
Table of Contents
How to Tell if Carrots Are Bad?
If your carrot is wilted, slimy, soft, has dark spots on it, or smells sour then there’s a pretty good chance that it’s gone bad and needs to be tossed into the compost pile instead of eaten.
Make sure to read till the end as I also share how long carrots last and a few tips to store carrots.
1. Feel the Carrots
Carrots should feel crisp and firm. Firstly, touch the carrots to see if they feel slimy or spongy. This is a good indication that carrots are bad and should not be eaten.
2. Look at the Carrots
First of all, carrots should not have any brown spots on them. If they do, then they may be bad.
The next thing you should check is if the carrots have any mold on them, then they are bad and should not be eaten.
Lastly, if the carrots begin to develop whitish skin, it is an indication that your carrots are going bad and drying out.
3. Smell the Carrots
Before cooking or eating, take a good whiff of the carrots if they have a distinct skunky or sour smell it may be time for them to go as well.
However, sometimes carrots can just have a strong smell and may not be bad. So if the carrots smell fine, then they are most likely safe to eat.
4. Taste a Bite of the Carrot
If you are not quite sure about your carrots yet, try tasting a small bite of carrots.
If they taste fine, then they are most likely safe to eat. However, if the carrots have a sour or bitter taste, then they may be bad and should not be eaten. Good carrots should not have any bitterness to them.
So, these are some tips on how to tell if carrots are bad. If they meet any of the above criteria, it is best to discard them.
Always remember to check for any signs of spoilage before eating any vegetables.
Now that you know how to identify bad carrots, it’s important to know how to store them properly so they last longer.
How To Properly Store Carrots
One way to store carrots is by putting them in a plastic bag and keeping them in the fridge. Another way is to wrap them in a damp paper towel and then place them in a plastic bag and put it in the fridge.
If you prefer not to refrigerate your carrots, you can also leave them in a cool dry place. Make sure they are not exposed to too much sunlight or the carrot greens will turn yellow and wilt faster than normal.
You should never store your carrots in an area where there is moisture because this will cause the carrots to rot more quickly.
Areas with high temperatures will also not be ideal for storing carrots because they will cause the carrots to wilt.
How Long Do Carrots Last?
Carrots usually last for up to two weeks in the fridge. However, if they are stored properly, they can last up to four weeks.
So, if you have some carrots that are starting to look a bit wilted, put them in the fridge and they will last for a few more days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do carrots smell like?
Carrots have a distinct, earthy smell that is often described as sweet. Some people also detect a hint of spice in the smell of cooked carrots.
This sweetness is a result of the high sugar content in carrots. When carrots are cooked, this sweetness intensifies and can become cloying.
Why are carrots bitter sometimes?
Carrots are a root vegetable, and like other root vegetables, they can sometimes be bitter. The bitterness is usually due to the presence of compounds called phenols.
These compounds are found in the skin and outer layer of the carrot, and their concentration increases as the carrot matures. Cooking carrots can help to reduce their bitterness.
What happens if you eat bad carrots?
Although it is rare, sometimes eating bad carrots can make you sick.
If the carrots have gone bad, they may contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Do carrots go bad in the fridge?
Carrots will last for up to 3-4 weeks in the fridge. However, their texture and flavor will deteriorate over time.
Sliced or chopped carrots will go bad faster than whole carrots. If your carrots start to turn brown or develop mold, they should be discarded.
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you to understand how carrots can go bad and what the signs are. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. And as always, stay healthy.
