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When I was little I hated baby carrots. Not because I was adverse to eating carrots, but because I thought that they were actually the baby version of the adult carrots.

I didn’t know that baby carrots are just the shaved-down versions of normal carrots that have been made more bite-sized for our snacking convenience. You might notice that there is something else different about baby carrots as opposed to regular carrots.

Photo: Open Food Facts

Besides the size difference, there’s the wetness factor. For anyone who has bought a bag of baby carrots, they will know that they’re quite moist – much more than the other produce.

So, why are baby carrots so moist? It’s actually because of a technique used to prevent dehydration. Because carrots can get a little dried out, water is added to the baby carrots as they’re packed and processed.

Photo: PXFUEL

When they’re being made, the baby carrots are sliced up and then placed inside a polishing drum. This drum is then filled with water in order for the carrots to gain their smooth and juicy look.

The polishing drum makes up some of the baby carrot’s moist appearance, but it’s not responsible for all of it.

Photo: PXHERE

When they are packed into their bags, there is supplemental water added in order to prevent them from drying out. Regular-sized carrots use their skin to lock in moisture, but because baby carrots are shaved down, they need to be given water in order to stay fresh and crisp for the people buying them.

Of course, while they’re sealed in the bag they’ll be all moist and wet, but once opened, they can dry out.

Photo: flickr/m01229

Have you ever noticed when you open up a bag of baby carrots then love it in the fridge for a dew days they turn white? Well, that is known as the carrot blush, and it’s a sign that the veggie is experiencing dehydration.

The more you know!

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