What do beets taste like? That’s a great question! Beets have a unique, earthy flavor that some people love and others don’t care for as much. But don’t let that scare you away from trying them. When prepared well, beets can be quite delicious and good for you too!
Let’s start with the basics. Beets are root vegetables that grow underground. They come in a few different varieties, with red beets being the most common. Other types include golden beets, white beets, and even rainbow/Chioggia beets. While the colors differ, they all have a similar earthy, mineral-like taste.
Some people describe the earthiness as dirt-like. But true beet lovers will tell you the flavor is more complex. There are undertones of sweetness to balance out the earthiness. When cooked properly, beets take on a rich, mellow flavor with hints of nuttiness and only subtle earthy notes. The taste can vary slightly depending on how they are prepared.
For example, roasting really concentrates the natural sugars and produces a sweeter beet. Boiling dilutes some of the earthy intensity. And eating them raw gives you the pure, unadulterated beet flavor. So start with cooking methods you are comfortable with, and branch out from there.
Now you may be wondering, why do beets taste earthy? The main compound responsible is geosmin. It’s an organic compound that occurs naturally in soil. When beets photosynthesize through their leaves, they absorb geosmin from the surrounding dirt. This gives their flesh that mineral, earthen essence. Geosmin is also why soil has that fresh “just rained” smell.
Some Tips for Toning Down the Earthiness of Beets:
- Roasting or sautéing beets helps balance the earthy notes with sweet caramelization.
- Boiling or steaming dilutes some of the strong beet flavor.
- Pairing roasted or cooked beets with acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar helps brighten their flavor.
- Combining beets with creamy ingredients like goat cheese, yogurt or avocado creates a nice flavor balance.
- Sweetening beets with maple syrup, honey or oranges offsets the earthiness.
- Spices like cumin, ginger, coriander, and curry powder complement and mask beet’s earthiness.
Now that you know what creates that earthy essence, let’s talk about the sweet side of beets. When properly cooked, beets reveal an inherent sweetness due to their natural sugars. Roasting really amplifies this. Golden beets tend to be the sweetest, followed by Chioggia and white beets. But even standard red beets have a subtle sugary quality.
How to Make Beets Taste Delicious?
- Roast or sauté beets with a bit of olive oil to caramelize their natural sugars.
- Pair roasted beets with fresh orange segments or a drizzle of orange juice to highlight sweetness.
- Toss steamed beets with maple syrup or honey for added sweetness.
- Top cooked beet slices with sweet fruits like pear, apple, or fresh figs.
- For salads, dress raw grated beets with a sweet vinaigrette made with honey or maple syrup.
- Add a touch of brown sugar when roasting beets to amplify their natural sweetness.
Beyond their distinctive earthy-sweet essence, beets have some subtle floral notes. Depending on the variety, you may detect a slight woodsy aroma. Golden and Chioggia beets tend to be the most floral. But even standard red beets have delicate flower-like undertones when eaten raw.
Here Are Some Tips for Picking up Those Floral Hints:
- Grate raw beets over a salad for a fresh, crunchy texture and floral aroma.
- Top cooked beets with edible flowers like nasturtiums. Their peppery taste complements beets.
- Toss hot roasted beets with fresh herbs like dill, parsley, basil, mint or chives.
- Pair steamed or roasted beets with mild fresh cheeses that won’t overpower their delicate essence.
- Drizzle roasted beets with a floral-infused vinegar. Try tarragon, rosemary, thyme or lavender infusions.
- A sprinkle of freshly ground nutmeg brings out subtle earthy, floral notes in cooked beets.
Hopefully, this gives you a good sense of the range of flavors found in fresh beets. When shopping, look for firm, smooth beets without wrinkles, spots or blemishes. Smaller beets tend to be more tender than large ones. The greens attached to the beetroot are also edible, so try to find bunches with fresh, vibrant leaves.
Beets should be stored unwashed in the crisper drawer, away from sunlight and heat. If leaving the greens on, wrap the roots in a damp paper towel to keep the moisture from being pulled out. Beet greens can be wrapped dry in a paper towel and refrigerated in a loose plastic bag for a few days.
Whether you love that earthy essence or want to tone it down, beets are worth trying if you prepare them thoughtfully. Roasting and pairing with sweet or acidic ingredients helps balance their flavor. And don’t overlook their delicate floral notes. With the right cooking methods and pairings, beets can offer wonderful sweet, earthy and floral undertones. Approach them with an open mind, try different preparations, and you might just become a beet lover too!
