Are Carrot Tops Edible?

Carrots grown by
Kara in Bed 38

Hey Everyone,

Susan asked the best question not long ago, as to whether or not carrot tops were edible.  My mind instantly drew a complete blank.  Zip, zero, nada, nothing came to thought!  As someone who tries to get the most out of what they produce, sadly carrot tops are prime for green matter in the compost pile, or when feeling crafty, an arrangement or two for the kitchen table.  Much thought hasn't really been given as to whether or not they are edible and if so, the best uses for them.

In scouring all the garden references at hand, checking the best go to sites for reliable garden information, etc., nothing much popped up. What a puzzlement Susan's question turned out to be!  Consequently, the great "Google" search was on and the best results came back from searching to see if carrot tops are edible or toxic.

The Results:

It appears the topic of consuming carrot tops is quite controversial on both sides of the equation.  There is much evidence suggesting they are safe to consume in moderation and then some that raises a flag of caution.  Gardeners need to utilize good judgment when adding something debated to their diets.  The following seems to be the largest concerns found on-line; however, they are not substantiated in any of my garden references.

All leafy greens, including carrot tops, contain a small group of toxins called alkaloids.  These toxins are part of a plants natural defense system to prevent it from being totally consumed by predators, such as insects or animals.  Much like any other greens, it is important to rotate and consume in moderation to prevent toxic levels of alkaloid buildup in the system, as over time this can have harmful effects on the thyroid.  

Carrot tops also contain furocoumarins that may lead to contact dermatitis.  Many gardeners can experience this same skin condition when working with celery or parsnips, as they are all members of the same botanical family.  As a test, some sites suggest rubbing the wet leaves of carrot tops on your skin to see if you have any type of allergic reaction.  If a rash or skin sensitivity develop, this should bring caution that you may be somewhat allergic to the tops and therefore pass on consumption.  Supposedly, it is also possible to possess a food allergy or intolerance to the tops of carrots without being allergic to carrots themselves.

The nitrate levels are the last item of major concern when consuming carrot tops.  According to several of the University Extension websites, the levels of nitrates in all plants vary widely based on the conditions of growth and the maturity of the plant when harvested.  Weather, soil acidity (pH), excess fertilization, nutrient deficiencies, herbicide choices, watering practices, etc., all play a part in the levels of nitrates found in your plants.  The book, Nutritional Sciences, states that the root vegetables collect greater concentrations of nitrates due to their growth habit in the soil.  Vegetables that contain the highest levels of nitrates are the root crops, celery, lettuce, spinach, green beans, parsley, cabbage, and collards. Since the by-products of nitrates can have an effect on nitrosamine exposure in the digestive tract (carcinogenic), blood flow, blood pressure, and migraines, it is recommended to consult a health care professional if you have concerns on adding more nitrate rich vegetables to the diet or concerns on the connection between nitrate rich foods and some health conditions.  

Tasty Garden Treats!
Will you be eating the tops Vicki?

In reading several soil references through the years, I have learned that excessive fertilization and some soil practices can lead to toxic levels of undesirable compounds being present in the veggies at harvest time, including nitrates.  After all, our plants are what they eat and even with organic practices, you can overdo.  However, the largest surprise has just come from learning that different varieties hold onto their nitrate levels more readily than others do. As an example, Bloomsdale spinach retains over three and one half times as many more nitrates in its leaves than the smooth leaved variety called Tuftegard.  Therefore, by making simple informed choices when choosing which cultivars to grow, we can tremendously lower the risk of the over consuming nitrates in our diet or nitrosamine exposure for those who may have concerns.

While the choice "to eat or not to eat" will be a topic of discussion for many, I hope you enjoy the post and learning about something new.  Kudos to Susan for bringing us a topic that will help us in getting even more produce out of our gardens.  It would be wonderful to hear what others think about the subject.

The reading is quite interesting and I have placed some links with descriptions below for your convenience.

http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/carrotops.html - This is an excellent link with general information and recipes.  The pesto does look interesting!

http://www.gardenbetty.com/2013/07/are-carrot-tops-toxic-the-short-answer-no/ - This is a nice summary of the general information appearing on-line.

http://greenearthorganics.blogspot.com/2013/04/carrot-tops-to-eat-or-to-compost.html - This is a blog post appearing on Green Earth Organics.  It has some links to information on the topic of whether or not they should be considered toxic.

http://www.leafforlife.org/PAGES/LEAFVEG.HTM - Article on Leafy Vegetables and Nitrates by David Kennedy.

http://www.thekitchn.com/5-ways-to-eat-carrot-tops-183415 - Additional recipes for those who are brave enough to try!

Happy Gardening,

Denise, Beds 25 & 29