Why Do We Peel Carrots?

Peeling carrots is one of the first things people learn about cooking them. It sounds more hygienic when we do it that way. But do they really have to be peeled?

The answer to that is no.

You'll most likely be okay if you washed and scrubbed the carrots before chopping, dicing, or otherwise preparing them for a recipe. Carrot skins are not as thick as some other vegetable skins, like potatoes or beets. However, unlike potatoes, they aren't typically appreciated, so they're instinctively shorn.

This is because carrot skins can turn bitter and dry after cooking. For some, the flavor difference is barely noticeable, but the earthiness is a complete turn-off for others. Carrot exteriors may also turn dusty and dry in the heat of an oven.

These carrots don’t look too appealing, so a fresh, sleek carrot will usually win out.

Does a Carrot's Peel Contain All its Nutrients?

You may be eager to leave that carrot skin on for lucrative nutritional rewards. But with carrots, there is little need for that as the peels are not so important.

According to Tufts University researchers, carrot peels contain some wonderful nutrients — such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and niacin — but they're not only in the peel.

Vitamin C, for example, is concentrated in the peel, but "appreciable amounts" can be found in the intermediate layer (phloem) of the carrot. Beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A, is also present in the peel, but the phloem has equally high amounts.

The inner core of the carrot (the xylem) has the majority of the vegetable's calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Also, all layers of a carrot are a good source of fiber.

Conclusion

Peeling a carrot or leaving the skin is ultimately up to you. The only real time it is necessary to peel your carrots is when you're steaming as the peel of steamed carrots can be tough, dry, and extra chewy.

However, if you're making stock, using it in a roast, stewing in a slow cooker, juicing, or pureeing for soup, all those carrots need is a good scrub with a stiff vegetable brush to remove the dirt and debris, and they’ll be ready for use.