Baby carrots the size of a fifty pence piece hit the shelves at Marks & Spencer this week.
Organic Parisienne Carrots - as they are called - do not need to be peeled and are so small that they can be cooked in their wholehead form.
The product is being grown organically in the UK for the first time near Inverness, Scotland. Grower Steven Jack, who has worked with M&S for 15 years, has produced the carrots.
The Parisienne carrot family is a breed that is smaller than other carrots, with a distinctive round shape. The variety originally comes from France where it is sold in farmers’ markets and has made an impression on the foodservice sector.
Organic carrot sales have soared in the last year and are now the biggest selling organic vegetable, with sales are up 10 per cent in the last 12 months, according to TNS. M&S organic carrot sales have shot up by 25 per cent in the last year.
Stuart Henderson, carrot specialist for M&S, said: “These carrots have a lovely strong, sweet flavour, as well as a striking appearance. We know from research convenience is more important than ever for busy lifestyles, so a carrot that needs neither peeling nor chopping will be welcomed with open arms.
“Organic carrots are a huge growth area so we are delighted to be innovating in a growing market. Children like to eat mini versions of fruit and vegetable so the Organic Parisienne is likely to be a lunchbox hit too,” he adds.
The product is retailing at £1.45 for 300g.
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