I make a lot of cakes, I cook most days and am pleased with most of my creations (I say most, but not all work out as they should!) The other day I made a dozen carrot muffins. The ingredients were nothing out of the ordinary for muffins. All of the ingredients were well in date and fresh. My kitchen top was very clean prior to cooking. Why then, when I cut into the muffins they had emerald green flecks in them? Most unusual. They tasted fine but I was glad that they were for my own consumption and not made especially for a friend.My Mother In Law (who is a good cook) has no idea either. Please help! Kind Regards Liz
Our answer
The green flecks are carrot but the colour has been changed by the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in the mixture. Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment. In the case of carrots they can change from orange to green if they are in a cake batter which is too alkaline and the alkaline in the ingredients comes from the bicarbonate of soda. If it is a recipe that you have baked successfully before then it is likely that the bicarbonate of soda was not mixed into the cake batter properly. If this is the case then make sure the dry ingredients are either sifted or whisked together thoroughly before the carrot and liquid ingredients are added. If it is a new recipe then it may be that you need to reduce the amount of bicarbonate of soda slightly.
The muffins are still safe to eat despite the colour change. It is also worth mentioning that blueberries, sunflower seeds and walnuts can have their colour changed in this way (the walnuts turn blue/purple).
If it is a recipe that you have baked successfully before then it is likely that the bicarbonate of soda was not mixed into the cake batter properly. If this is the case then make sure the dry ingredients are either sifted or whisked together thoroughly before the carrot
Harold McGee, author of On Food and Cooking, explains that carrots turn green when the batter “contains too much baking soda, or when the soda isn't evenly mixed in the batter.” Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance.
A past study also showed that a change in the color of the carrot was observed by applying heat at > 60 o C, the possible reason is that β-carotene in carrots started to degrade which imparts the color changes (Araya et al., 2009) .
When blue food coloring is added to this yellow base, the batter turns green. Moreover, food coloring is known to darken. This means that as the cake bakes, its emerald tinge will become even more apparent. Thankfully, there are measures you can take in order to avoid green baked goods.
One thing you will want to do when bringing home carrots from the market is to separate the greens from the carrots. That's because the tops will continue to draw moisture away from the vegetables as they sit in your fridge. Just remove the tops from the vegetables and store them separately.
Beta-carotene is a fat-soluble vitamin which is not lost even at high temperatures. When carrots are cooked, the cell walls of the plant tissues soften, making it easier for our digestive system to assimilate beta-carotene.
Why Is There White Stuff on My Carrots? The white stuff on baby carrots is called "carrot blush," and it's a thin layer of film that may develop on the carrots when they become dehydrated. "The white forms on baby carrots when they lose moisture and are exposed to the atmosphere," says Ilyse Schapiro MS, RD, CDN.
The yield and quality of carrots are reduced when mean temperatures are above 25°C and /or below 10°C. Temperatures as low as 4°C also influence quality characteristics such as root length, diameter and shape. The brittleness of carrot roots increases with cooler soil temperatures, and the roots crack.
Something weird happens when you take sunflower seeds and heat them with some baking soda. sunflower seeds contain all kinds of healthy fats, proteins and anti-oxidants. and they also contain chlorogenic acid. which reacts with the baking soda and air to form a brilliant blue green pigment.
In much smaller quantities, the baking soda still has a chemical reaction with acid. Low and behold the acidic component is in bananas, so any excess baking soda that doesn't help the banana bread rise will react, hence green or blue banana bread slices the next day.
How do you keep shredded carrots from turning brown? To keep carrots from turning brown or dehydrating, place them in an airtight container. This will slow the degradation process. Vinegar or lemon juice also helps preserve them.
Carrots that have spoiled or gone bad will usually have an odor, a slimy texture, or dark discoloration. They may also be wilted or soft. If you see mold growing on carrots, throw them out. The white blush that forms on carrots signals that your carrots are drying out.
Wilting-carrots may wilt if stored in a n area with low humidity. Decay; sprouting-may begin to decay or sprout if stored at high temperatures. Cracks; flabby or discolored skin„these are indications of freeze damage. Yellow tips; soft spots„these are signs of age and will result in a poor flavored product.
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Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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