Re: Which varieties of beetroot do you prefer?

[Aden Roller]

It'd be interesting (I thought) to find out which varieties of beetroot people prefer.

I nearly always start mine off in tiny modules and grow mostly Boltardy as the seed is easy to find and, so far, it's been very reliable but I've tried others types too.

My family love the sweetness. We eat it as a salad food at lunchtimes and to accompany sandwiches but quite often have it, along with other vegetables, as part of a main meal with a meat dish at dinner time.

Have you a favourite beetroot variety?

(Do I need a new thread for this or can I tag on from here?  :-\ )

[Aden Roller]

[Jayb]

I've started a new thread for you  :)

[shirlton]

We like Sanguina.and we get it from Real Seeds.

[BarriedaleNick]

Alto for me - easy to grow and because it is cylindrical it cooks quickly and evenly.

[Digeroo]

I really like the taste of Burpees Golden.  Slugs like it too unfortunately so total wipeout this year.  Looks great in a mixed root roast.

For salad there is choggia eaten raw, I have a friend who loves it.  There are loads in a packet so it will last you for years.

[grawrc]

I grow detroit rubidus 6. It never fails.

[gwynnethmary]

I love choggia, although haven't grown it myself yet.  I was introduced to it in Sweden and love that you can roast it without it bleeding.  It's very pretty on the plate too.  I've bought my seeds from Seekay Hort, all ready for next year.

[gwynnethmary]

And here it is, pretty on the plate!

[gavinjconway]

I prefer the cylindrical types as I only do cooked spiced beets and they are easier to slice.. but I plant both types to have a few cubes as well..

[kt.]

I grow Boltardy as an early beetroot then Detroit for the rest of the year.  Next year I will be trying Pablo instead of Detroit purely because I purchased the seeds in a seed sale.  Never really grown anything else as they have always worked for me

[kippers garden]

I'm a fan of Boltardy too.  I've find it's reliable and it's a good all rounder for cooking, pickling etc.  It also makes a really nice chocolate beetroot cake if anyone is interested the link to a recipe is below.  I've also put loads of beetroot facts here too :

http://notjustgreenfingers.wordpress.com/2012/07/31/chocolate-beetroot-cake-and-more-of-the-old-fashioned-way/

[Aden Roller]

Wow what a variety!

I feel a right stick in the mud growing almost nothing but Boltardy. I did try Tardell one year but it seemed less enthusiastic to get going. Detroit for later crops is well worth knowing - thanks kt.

I think, as we love beetroot and use so much of it, that I'll be more adventurous next year and trial some new (to me) varieties.

I've started a new thread for you  :)

Thank you Jayb

[chriscross1966]

Boltardy is pretty good, but these days I prefer Moneta... it's basically a monogerm Boltardy.... also Alto for small ones and Monorubra if you like the cylinder ones, but it responds less well to module growing sometimes and it isn't quite as dark red as Moneta...

[ed dibbles]

The ever reliable and tasty Boltardy early and late sowings with Cylindra as a productive maincrop in between.

This usually provides a year round supply.

[bionear2]

I am a convert to Detroit, good and sweet, and has none of the earthy taste that some folk dislike.

[royforster]

Here in France, I've become a convert to betterave d'Egypte - Egyptian beetroot - which grows very large but remains sweet and tender. I've bought it from a UK supplier on Ebay "Premier Seeds Direct" and think it would thrive in British conditions too.

[gwynnethmary]

Here in France, I've become a convert to betterave d'Egypte - Egyptian beetroot - which grows very large but remains sweet and tender. I've bought it from a UK supplier on Ebay "Premier Seeds Direct" and think it would thrive in British conditions too.

That's another one I've got from Seekay Hort.

[antipodes]

It's not always reliable but with this year's wet weather I had best success with Cheltenham greentop. The taste is excellent even though they are not as big as some varieties. I find that Monoruba works well for late sowings (early summer).

[gazza1960]

Boltardy have proved a reliable all season long variety that pickles well when small and young or when Golf ball size make
tasty oven roasted offerings.

Had multiple sowings straight in the dirt last year but due to weather all over the place this season have only had just the one.

Only new one weve tried is Sanguina from Real seeds Co and its been a very sweet variety to roast.

GazNjude