As the name suggests, the Chantenay carrot originated from the Chantenay region of France. Early references to the Chantenay carrot can be found back in the mid 1800’s, where it was used in medicine. As food production became more organised after the war, there was a rise in the popularity of Chantenay carrots, which peaked in the 60s.
The recent revival has been brought about with a complete product overhaul which looked at varieties, size and production techniques. The Chantenay carrot is a natural product that can be tricky to grow, but it’s its ‘naturalness’ which gives it its flavour and delicious taste.
UK grown Chantenay carrots are available all year round, as they are harvested in different areas of the country throughout the year. The finest soils in the UK, from Lands End to John O’Groats are used to ensure that all Chantenay carrots are harvested fresh, to capture the very best of their flavour and provenance. Chantenay are stored in the ground in the autumn and winter under straw to protect from winter frosts, and to retain the freshness of the vegetable.