If you want the beets in the cellar in February not to turn into a shriveled lump, but to remain sweet, dense and juicy, it is important not just to plant “any”, but to choose varieties bred for long-term storage. Regular early beets are watery, quickly lose moisture and “shrink” by December. And for winter, you need root vegetables with dense pulp, thick skin and a high sugar content. These do not rot, do not wrinkle and do not lose their taste even after 5 months of storage.
Among dozens of varieties, three stand out in particular, which do not let you down either in the cellar or in preparations.
Cylinder – a variety with elongated, regular-shaped root crops. The pulp is dark burgundy, without rings, sweet, with a delicate aroma. Ideal for slicing into salads and freezing, it does not darken when cooked. It lies in a cool cellar until April, without drying out or losing its juiciness.
Bordeaux 237 – round root vegetables weighing 300–500 g, with smooth skin and rich taste. Excellent for beetroot, caviar and juice; it does not crumble when cooked and retains its shape and color. It is resistant to rot and lasts in boxes with sand until March, and even longer if stored correctly.
Libero – a modern Dutch hybrid with high keeping quality. The roots are smooth, dark red, almost without white streaks. Contains a maximum of beta-cyanine and sugars, therefore it is especially healthy and tasty. Ideal for medicinal decoctions and baby food. It does not spoil in the cellar until April, even with slight temperature fluctuations.
How to store beets so that they do not dry out and rot?
- Collect in dry weather, do not wash the root vegetables, just gently shake off the soil.
- Trim the tops to zero, leaving a petiole 1 cm long.
- Store in wooden boxes, sprinkled with dry sand, pearl straw or parchment paper.
- The ideal temperature is from 0 to 2°C, humidity is 85–90%.
- Do not place next to potatoes, as they release moisture, which causes the beets to rot.
- Check the harvest once a month and remove spoiled root crops.
Such beets are the basis for winter vinaigrettes, borscht and healthy juices. It is not as watery as June, but much sweeter, denser and richer in color.
Question and answer:
What varieties of beets are best stored in winter?
Dense, late-ripening varieties with a high sugar content are suitable for storage: Cylinder, Bordeaux 237, Libero. They do not dry out, do not rot and last until April.
Why do beets crack during storage?
Due to uneven watering during growth or excess nitrogen. For storage, choose varieties with dense flesh and water moderately in August.
