In winter, beets should be as dark and fragrant as in September. But by January, many varieties already wither, become stained or lose their rich taste. To avoid this, choose root vegetables with a dense structure, thin skin and high sugar content. Such beets do not fade in boxes, do not rot from moisture and remain ideal for borscht, vinaigrette and juice even in March.
Among dozens of options, three proven varieties stand out, which are perfectly stored even in a city apartment.
Bordeaux 237 — root vegetables are round, dark burgundy, weighing 200–300 grams. The pulp is homogeneous, without white rings, richly sweet, with a deep aroma. This variety hardly fades all winter, is resistant to rot and is ideal for borscht and vinaigrettes. If stored properly, it remains in excellent shape until April.
Cylinder – a universal variety with an elongated shape, convenient for cutting. The skin is thin but durable, the flesh is juicy, dark, with a slight honey note. Thanks to its dense structure, it does not lose its shape during cooking and does not become watery. Great for freezing, juices and baby food.
Egyptian flat – an early-ripening variety with flat-rounded roots. Despite early ripening, it is stored for a long time. The pulp is tender, but not watery, with pronounced sweetness. It is often used for salads and homemade twists; when cut, it does not darken and retains its color.
To keep beets as long as possible, store them in a cool, damp place at a temperature of 0 to +2 degrees. Before planting, thoroughly dry the root crops for 5–7 days in the shade, and then carefully trim the tops to zero without damaging the head. Do not wash beets, as even traces of moisture will cause rot.
If you store your harvest indoors, use boxes with damp sand or parchment bags. Place a few cloves of garlic or a sprig of wormwood in each drawer; they will naturally repel fungus and pests. Also, do not mix beets with potatoes, they release moisture and speed up spoilage.
Such beets will become the basis for borscht, vitamin salads and homemade juices.
Question and answer:
Why do beets wither in winter?
Due to low humidity in the room or damaged tops. Keep cool with damp sand.
Do I need to wash beets before storing?
No, even traces of water cause rot. Just shake off the soil and dry.
