Packing (2)Varieties Colour and high total solids are the most important factors in selecting carrots for dehydration Up to the 1970s Chantenay was perhaps the most favoured variety in Europe because of its stump rooted shape, which made for economy in dicing. It was practically coreless and ha reasonably bright when dehydrated. It did not prove very hardy in the winterin Europe rarely survived without frost damage beyond December when processors reverted to the more hardy Norfolk Giant and Danvers Chantenay also failed to reach full colour if not allowed to mature properly The author experienced a severe problem in Cyprus in the early 70s, when et winter had potatoes(even the early spring potatoes produced tubers 13-14cm long and 7-8cm in diameter)but the crop of Chantenay carrots being grown contract for a multi-national processor in the UK failed completely develop an acceptable red colour, due to the non development of the carotene in the early stages of growth, following a very cool wet spring Today, the selection of carrots for dehydration has become a specialist exercise for the seed breederand several useful cultivars now being produced come from Dutch seed breeders, and the following have been favourably regarded by European dehydrators: thesuffix RZ indicates the seed breeders Rijk Zwaan of Holland Karotan rz Bordeaux rz Kartal Tosto rz Furon rz These are related by a succession of cross breeding to a german variety. Kieler Rote, which the author introduced into the uK in the late 1960s for field trials but which, although they meet the parameters of a bright scarlet colour and very high solids, failed in context of its long tapering shape which made it uneconomic for dicing. The above new varieties, now bred to the Kieler Rote colour characteristics, should provide an excellent choice for the dehydrator. In the USa the Ventura type carrot is used successfully Ventura is, however, a region and not a specific cultivar but several varieties which meet thecolourand solids requirements are available from Californian seedsmen (3) ProductI Packing (2) Varieties Colour and high total solids are the most important factors in selecting carrots for dehydration. Up to the 1970's Chantenay was perhaps the most favoured variety in Europe because of its stump rooted shape, which made for economy in dicing. It was practically coreless and had an orange-red colour, which was reasonably bright when dehydrated. It did not prove very hardy in the winter in Europe and rarely survived without frost damage beyond December, when processors reverted to the more hardy Norfolk Giant and Danvers. Chantenay also failed to reach full colour if not allowed to mature properly. The author experienced a severe problem in Cyprus in the early 70'5, when a particularly wet winter had encouraged good growth in carrots and potatoes (even the early spring potatoes produced tubers 13-14cm long and 7-8cm in diameter) but the crop of Chantenay carrots being grown on contract for a multi-national processor in the UK failed completely to develop an acceptable red colour, due to the non development of the carotene in the early stages of growth, following a very cool wet spring. Today, the selection of carrots for dehydration has become a specialist exercise for the seed breeder and several useful cultivars now being produced come from Dutch seed breeders, and the following have been favourably regarded by European dehydrators: the suffix RZ indicates the seed breeders - Rijk Zwaan of Holland. Karotan RZ Bordeaux RZ Kartal Tosto RZ Furon RZ These are related by a succession of cross breeding to a German variety, Kieler Rote, which the author introduced into the UK in the late 1960's for field trials but which, although they meet the parameters of a bright scarlet colour and very high solids, failed in context of its long tapering shape, which made it uneconomic for dicing. The above new varieties, now bred to the Kieler Rote colour characteristics, should provide an excellent choice for the dehydrator. In the USA the Ventura type carrot is used successfully. Ventura is, however, a region and not a specific cultivar but several varieties which meet the colour and solids requirements are available from Californian seedsmen. (3) Product Handling The removal of the tops and crowns of the carrots should be carried out on the farm or at a preprocessing washing and 'topping' station, to avoid I34