Beet

VegetableRoot-vegetableEarthySweetMineralJuicyRooty

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories: 43
Protein (g): 1.6
Fat (g): 0.2
Carbs (g): 9.6
Fiber (g): 2.8
Sodium (mg): 78

Values reflect raw beet; cooking softens texture and can concentrate perceived sweetness.

Storage

Room temp: up to 3 days
Refrigerated: up to 14 days
Frozen: up to 270 days

Beet is a firm, bulbous root with smooth skin and deep red to golden flesh. It tastes earthy and gently sweet, with juices that stain a vivid magenta; roasting concentrates sugars while steaming or boiling yields a tender, juicy texture. Use it roasted, steamed, boiled, grated raw for salads, or pickled; sold trimmed or in bunches with greens attached.

Cultivated from the Mediterranean sea beet, it spread through Europe and into temperate regions worldwide. It features prominently in Eastern European cuisines, notably in borscht, and is grown widely apart from the distinct sugar beet industry.