The Reason Why Your Baby Carrots Taste So Soapy

Despite their diminutive size, baby carrots are a heavyweight champion of simple snacks. Their no-wash, grab-and-go nature promises to save you time, and to save your stomach from pesky hunger pangs. They're like a more nutritious chip, ready to scoop up a bevy of dips and sauces to suit any craving. But every now and then, reaching into your bag of carrots will earn you soapy betrayal instead of a tasty treat.

That's right — you're not the only person who's chomped down on a baby carrot and immediately wondered if there was a soap incident at the carrot factory. It may come as a relief that this phenomenon isn't abnormal or harmful. But what's the deal with the soap-flavored marinade?

Those raw carrots haven't been doused in chemicals, but a chemical reaction is responsible for the unpleasant flavor. Certain types of fresh produce pump out ethylene gas, which causes carrots to produce more terpenoids. Think of terpenoids as one of two "ingredients" that give a carrot its distinctive taste, with the other being sugar. If a carrot is low on terpenoids, then you'll taste something closer to water than a root vegetable. If it has too many, you have a one-way ticket to soap town.

A carrot can be terpenoid-heavy for a few reasons, but improper storage and early harvest are the two biggest culprits. Since baby carrots are actually made from mature carrots, harvest time isn't usually the issue. Instead, take a look at your storage methods. You're probably shoving the whole carrot bag into the crisper drawer with handfuls of other ethylene-producing fruits and veggies, dooming them to a soapy fate.

Fortunately, it's easy to store your carrots the right way. Carrots grow underground, and they still like dark, damp, cool places even after being uprooted. You could toss them into a sealed plastic bag, stash them away from other produce, and call it a day. However, it's much better to dump your carrots into a cold water bath and store them in the fridge. Just remember to change the water every few days when it starts looking cloudy.

And if you're dealing with a soapy batch? Don't give up and feed those carrots to the compost just yet. Heating terpenoids reduces that bitter soapiness, so try air-frying your baby carrots, roasting them, or baking them into a cake. In fact, you may be surprised by the ways you can use a carrot. From jams to blondies, there's a recipe for everyone, so you'll never have to worry about an unsalvageable soapy carrot again.