Beet is a Latin name. Origin and benefits of red beets. Sugar beet processing technology

Name: Beetroot.

Other names: Beet ordinary.

Latin name: Beta vulgaris L.

Family: Chenopodiaceae (Chenopodiaceae)

Lifespan: Biennial. In the first year of life, it forms a leaf rosette and a root crop. In the second year, leafy branched stems develop with numerous flowers, green or whitish, collected in a paniculate inflorescence.

plant type: Herbaceous plant.

Height: Up to 50 cm.

Flowers, inflorescences: Flowers in several pieces together.

flowering time: July - September.

Fruit: The fruits grow together, forming seedlings (balls).

plant history: The homeland of the beet is the Mediterranean, where it has been widely cultivated since ancient times. It penetrated into Kievan Rus from Byzantium in the 10th century and immediately became the most popular vegetable and famous medicine. Beets became a common garden crop in the 14th century, and its subspecies began to be used as a source of sugar only by the end of the 18th century.

Spreading: Cultivated in all agricultural regions of Russia and Ukraine as a vegetable plant.

garden care: Beet seeds are sown in early May under a film, after soaking them for 2-3 days in warm water. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, thin out and feed 2-3 times per season. By autumn, a root crop grows, which, depending on the variety, is burgundy, purple, and so on, usually weighing from 200 to 500 grams. In autumn, the leaves are cut off and root crops are stored in the basement, using medicinal raw materials throughout the long Russian winter.

medicinal parts: Roots and leaves. Root crops retain their nutrients and medicinal properties until next harvest.

Useful content: Root crops contain sucrose, glucose, fructose, pectins, fiber, organic acids, proteins, amino acids, minerals - salts of potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, cobalt, phosphorus. Beets are very rich in vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, P, PP, pantothenic and folic acids, and in terms of iodine content, they are among the vegetables most provided with this element. How food product it has a high calorie content. Beet tops are much richer than root crops in vitamin C and folic acid, but poorer in fiber.
Despite the fact that the actual content of iron in red beets is low, nevertheless, due to its High Quality it is an excellent food for red blood cells. by the most positive property chemical elements in beets is that it contains more than 50% sodium and only 5% calcium. As a result, the solubility of the latter is maintained, and this is very important when, due to the consumption of a large amount of boiled food, inorganic calcium has accumulated in the blood vessels - with the expansion and hardening of the veins or thickening of the blood, causing hypertension and other disorders. of cardio-vascular system.
The 20% potassium content of beets is valuable for all bodily functions, while the 8% chlorine content makes it an excellent cleanser for the liver, kidneys and gallbladder, also stimulating lymphatic activity throughout the body.
Beet cobalt is used to form vitamin B12, which is synthesized by the intestinal microflora in the body. In its turn, folic acid and vitamin B12 are involved in the formation of branded blood elements - erythrocytes.
Due to the presence of betaine and betanine, beets help strengthen capillaries, lower blood pressure, remove cholesterol from the body, improve fat metabolism, and activate the liver. Beetroot enhances intestinal motility and effectively helps with constipation and obesity.
Pectins and organic acids of beets help to increase intestinal motility, so beets are used to treat spastic inflammation of the colon and liver diseases.
The complex of vitamins in combination with iron, cobalt, folic acid and amino acids makes it possible to use it as a remedy for the treatment of anemia, as an anti-sclerotic and antiarrhythmic agent.

Actions: Common beet juice has antispasmodic, diuretic and anti-sclerotic effect. It stimulates hematopoiesis, gastric secretion and intestinal peristalsis, inhibits the development of microorganisms in the intestines, promotes the excretion of cholesterol, improves the condition of blood vessels, relieves vascular spasms, exhibits antitumor properties, regulates metabolism in the body, positively affects the functions of the sex glands, improves vision. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of common beet juice are also known.
Common beet is successfully used in the treatment of spastic colitis, atherosclerosis, thyrotoxicosis, arrhythmias, hypertension, liver diseases, intestinal atony, chronic constipation. Raw and soaked beets are an effective remedy for the treatment of scurvy. Grated beets can be applied to wounds, and the juice can be instilled into the nose with a runny nose.
If the microflora in the large intestine is healthy, then the beetroot juice does not stain the urine. If the anti-cancer protection is somehow broken, then the beetroot juice will turn the urine red!

Use restrictions: THE USE OF BEET IN LARGE QUANTITIES IS CONTRAINDICATED IN KINOSTONE DISEASE (PRIMALLY WITH OXALURIA) AND OTHER METABOLIC DISORDERS. DO NOT DRINK FRESH BEET JUICE, IT CAUSES HEART RHYTHM DISTURBANCES. BEFORE USE, IT SHOULD BE KEEPED IN AN OPEN VESSEL FOR NOT LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR.

Healing recipes:

beet juice very useful for women if you drink at least 0.5 liters per day mixed with carrot juice. It is especially useful during menstrual cycle if taken 50 ml 2-3 times a day. This approach is especially effective in menopause when it helps better than any medicine.
Beetroot juice can be obtained both from root crops and from young tops. But if you drink only beetroot juice, it can cause slight dizziness or nausea. Therefore, at the beginning of treatment, it is better to use a mixture where carrot juice predominates, and then gradually increase the dose of beetroot juice, first 1/5-1/4 cup per 1 cup of water or other juice and bring to 1/3 cup, but no more, until the body will not get used to its beneficial cleansing action. Usually 1 glass of beetroot juice per day is sufficient.
It must be remembered that when taking fresh juice beets there is a strong spasm of blood vessels. Therefore, freshly squeezed juice should be allowed to stand for 2-3 hours, preferably in the refrigerator, in order to separate volatile, harmful fractions. Remove the foam and after this procedure apply without restrictions.

Beetroot is a seasonal herbaceous plant of the Amaranth family. Root crops and beet tops are used for food.

Roots are well stored in winter, so beets are harvested in autumn for the winter. Beets contain a large amount of sugars, due to which some of its varieties are used for the production of granulated sugar.

Due to its unpretentiousness, high nutritional value, beets are grown everywhere.

Useful properties and contraindications of beets are due to its chemical composition.

100 g of products contains:

• proteins 1.5 g, water 86 g, fats 0.1 g, carbohydrates 8.8 g,
• starch 0.1 g, dietary fiber 2.5 g, saccharides 8.7 g,
• organic acids 0.1 g, ash 1 g.

Everything else falls on vitamins and macro-, microelements:

• vitamin C 10 mg, B vitamins 0.24 mg (of which 13 mcg is folic acid)
• vitamin PP 0.4, vitamin A 2 µg, vitamin E 0.1 mg, vitamin K 0.2 µg,
• betaine 128.7 mg, beta-carotene 8 mcg, choline 6 mg, vitamin U 14.6 mg,
• boron 280 mcg, vanadium 70.1 mcg, cobalt 2.3 mcg, manganese 660 mcg,
• lithium 60 mcg, rubidium 453 mcg, thallium 0.7 mcg, chromium 20 mcg,
• iodine 10 mcg, calcium 70 mg, potassium 288 mg,
• sodium 50 mg, zinc 430 mcg, copper 0.14 mg.

Beets contain essential amino acids:

• valine, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, methionine, lysine, tryptophan, threonine, phenylalanine.

Most of all in the beet rubidium, vanadium and boron. The content of these elements in 100 g of the product is several times higher than the daily human need.

The energy value of beets per 100 g of the product is 40 kcal.

What are the benefits of beets?

In medicine, the following beneficial properties of red beets are used:

• antihistamine, immunomodulatory, analgesic,
• laxative, sedative, regenerating,
• ulcerative, diuretic,
• anticarcinogenic, antiseptic.

Beets are rich in antioxidants. Vitamins A, E and C are like three pillars on which many of the beneficial properties of fresh and boiled beets are based. Thanks to these vitamins, beets:

• boosts immunity,
• protects against viral and bacterial infections,
• heals the mucous membranes,
• favorably affects vision,
• human reproductive system
• strengthens blood vessels and makes them more elastic.

Beets prevent the development of atherosclerosis. The joint work of antioxidants, copper and iodine contributes to the excellent functioning of the endocrine system, restores the human hormonal background, and improves brain function.

Thanks to zinc, magnesium and B vitamins, beets provide positive influence on the nervous system person. This root crop makes sense to use for neurological disorders, stress and depression.

Useful properties of beets are that it stimulates the liver, improves bowel function, improves the condition of joints and ligaments.

Especially useful are the properties of raw beets for the liver. The human liver is a kind of wastebasket of the body. Thanks to vitamin B4, beetroot cleanses the harmful effects of toxic substances resulting from eating fatty foods, smoking, and drugs.

Betaine also has a positive effect on the liver. Thanks to this substance, beetroot prevents the accumulation of fatty deposits in the liver, reduces the risk of developing diabetes helps to quickly recover from cardiovascular diseases. Beets prevent the formation of stones in the gallbladder.

The red root crop contains a large amount of boron. This element is important for our bones and joints. Thanks to the regular use of beets, you can get rid of arthrosis, arthritis, osteoporosis. In addition, all the same boron makes beets wholesome food for women's health. It is especially useful to use during menopause and in the post-menopausal period.

Beetroot prevents the formation of plaques in the vessels and removes bad cholesterol. Thanks to cobalt, beets affect the concentration of adrenaline production and normalize the pancreas. Beets are useful for obesity.

Beets are rich in lithium, and this chemical element affects the state of mind. No wonder in psychiatric clinics lithium preparations are used to treat mentally ill people. In this regard, beets suppress fear, emotional tension, aggression, reduce feelings of anxiety, and increase resistance to stress.

Useful properties of table beet lies in the fact that it is used for bronchitis, asthma, as well as the common cold, tuberculosis and hormonal disorders. Thanks to magnesium, fresh beetroot and beetroot juice can be used in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis.

The beneficial properties of boiled beets are in no way inferior to raw root crops. The only thing is that the content of vitamins in boiled beets decreases (vitamins B6, C, A are destroyed during heat treatment of the root crop). Boiled beetroot is a natural laxative, and due to its diuretic effect, it removes salts of heavy metals.

Beet roots contain fiber and pectins, which help cleanse the intestines from toxins.

What are the beneficial properties of beet tops?

In addition to root crops, beet tops can be eaten for medicinal purposes. It is important to note that the concentration of some elements in beet tops is much higher than in the beet itself.

Vitamin PP, which is found in large quantities in beet leaves, is involved in hematopoiesis, improves the condition of blood vessels, and prevents the development of internal hemorrhages. Beet leaves are rich in salts of iron, calcium, potassium, manganese and phosphorus.

The benefits of beet leaves also lie in the fact that they help to recover from peptic ulcer of the intestine and stomach, chronic gastritis. Such a therapeutic effect of beet tops is manifested due to the content of a rather rare vitamin U in it. This element has a pronounced regenerating, antihistamine and analgesic effect.

Beet greens have high antioxidant properties. The joint work of manganese and cobalt improves the condition of the blood, rejuvenates the skin and prevents the appearance of early gray hair. Another useful property of beet leaves is the removal of bad cholesterol from the body.

beetroot juice

Beets have a high keeping quality and are suitable for long-term storage.

During the winter, it retains all its beneficial elements, so beetroot juice can be used for medicinal purposes all year round.

Useful properties of beet juice are as follows:

• useful for anemia;
• retains all the vitamins and mineral salts contained in beets;
• improves metabolism; improves blood circulation;
• helps to overcome depression; saves from insomnia;
• eliminates increased excitability; removes harmful substances from the body;
• has a laxative effect; cleanses the body of bad cholesterol;
• treats seasonal beriberi; quickly restores strength after physical activity;
• improves brain function; reduces the risk of developing cancer;
• heals inflammatory diseases oral cavity;
• normalizes the intestinal microflora and destroys harmful bacteria;
• useful for raising general immunity.

Beet juice is contraindicated to drink immediately after preparation. The fact is that the juice is very concentrated, and harmful compounds accumulate in it. Therefore, after pressing, the juice must stand for 2-3 hours. Upon contact with air, harmful substances evaporate.

Treatment with beet juice should begin with 1 tbsp. spoons, gradually increasing this rate to 50 ml. Beetroot juice is not very pleasant in taste, so it is recommended to dilute it with juice from cranberries, pineapple, carrots or oranges.

Beet juice causes side effects: nausea, severe stomach pain, vomiting. If these symptoms appear, you should stop drinking beetroot juice and look for alternative methods treatment.

Beet treatment

With a runny nose:

1. Squeeze out the beetroot juice.
2. Keep him in the room overnight.

Bury in the nose three times a day, 2-3 drops in each nasal passage.

For hypertension:

1. Squeeze out the beetroot juice.
2. Mix it with honey (1 teaspoon).

Drink 0.25 cup three times a day.

For constipation:

1. Boil 1 beetroot.
2. Divide into 3 parts and add to food at every meal.

Also, from constipation, you can eat salads, first and second courses with beets.

With scurvy: regularly consume pickled beets;

For angina:

1. Peel raw beets.
2. Grate it, mix with 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vinegar.
3. Insist for a day.

Squeeze out the juice and gargle with it 5-6 times a day.

For anemia:

1. Squeeze out the beetroot juice.
2. Mix 50 ml of beetroot juice with 250 ml of apple juice.

Divide the juice into 3 servings and drink throughout the day.

With mastopathy:

1. Mix puree with honey in a ratio of 3:1.

Lubricate the cabbage leaf with the resulting puree and attach it to the chest.

During menstruation:

1. Squeeze out the beetroot juice.
2. Dilute 50 ml of beetroot juice with cranberry juice in a ratio of 1:3 and drink throughout the day.

For bronchitis:

1. Squeeze out the beetroot juice.
2. Mix 50 ml with carrot juice and drink throughout the day.

For hepatitis:

1. Squeeze beetroot juice.
2. Defend it for 2-3 hours, add the same amount of honey.
3. Drink the resulting mixture of 0.5 cups three times a day.

Also possible in equal parts combine beet juice and carrot juice and drink it 2-3 times a day, eating honey (1 tbsp. Spoon).

For weight loss

Beets, due to their caloric content, are a dietary product, so they are often included in various systems weight loss. Beets are rich in fiber and dietary fiber, which, once ingested, create a feeling of satiety for a long time.

Beet, due to its rich vitamin and mineral composition, accelerates metabolic processes in the body, which means that the process of losing weight will be faster. The beneficial properties of beets for weight loss are that it improves the functioning of the digestive system and allows you to get rid of ballast with harmful substances that are found in the intestines.

During pregnancy and during breastfeeding

Beetroot contains iron, which is often lacking during pregnancy, so the red root vegetable is prescribed as a preventive measure. iron deficiency anemia pregnant. Beetroot has a beneficial effect on digestive system and is a mild laxative.

Regular use of beets during the period of gestation allows you to get rid of constipation, rectal fissures and hemorrhoids. In addition, beets contain a large amount of choline. This substance is involved in the formation of the nervous system and brain of the fetus.

There is even an opinion that the sharpness of a person’s thinking depends on the amount of choline that he received while in the womb.

Do not neglect beets and during the period breastfeeding. Some believe that it is impossible to eat beets during breastfeeding, due to the fact that the vegetable can cause allergies in a child. But it's not.

Despite the fact that the beets have a bright color, they do not cause allergies. But it helps to restore the nervous and emotional state of the mother of the child after childbirth. And also improve the chair. After all, it is not for nothing that in many maternity hospitals women are given a piece of beets once a day.

For kids

Beets are good for children too. It supplies the body of the child with all the necessary substances for normal growth and development.

Beets are especially useful for children suffering from a deficiency. muscle mass. The fact is that the red root contains betaine, which promotes the absorption of protein. Beets should be included in the diet of children suffering from neurological disorders and children prone to emotional overexcitability. It is useful to give beets to children for constipation.

Beets should not be given as complementary foods to children under 6 months of age.

The ideal time for feeding beets is the age of 8-9 months. By this time, the baby will already have time to get acquainted with many vegetables and fruits. But if you notice a change in your baby's stool, put off solid foods for a few more months.

In cosmetology

Beets are rich in betaine. This substance is often used in the cosmetic industry due to its moisturizing effect. Getting into the cells, betaine retains moisture as much as possible. Moisturizing masks, face or hand creams, shampoos and conditioners are made on its basis.

Useful properties of beets in cosmetology:

• moisturizes the skin
• relieves inflammation
• eliminates acne
• smoothes fine wrinkles,
• cleanses the skin.

Moisturizing mask:

1. Grate the beets on a fine grater.
2. Mix the puree with the same amount of cream.
3. Mix.
4. Apply to face.
5. Keep for 20 minutes, then wash off the mask with warm water.

Acne mask:

1. Boil the beets until tender.
2. Take out the root.
3. Pour 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into the beetroot broth.
4. Wash with decoction twice a day.

The benefit of beetroot decoction is that it eliminates all kinds of inflammation on the skin. After a few days, acne will turn pale, the skin will become even in color. And after a week, the spots from acne will also disappear.

Harm and possible contraindications

Despite all the benefits of boiled beets, there are some contraindications to its use.

Beetroot juice has many more contraindications.

These include:

• stomach ulcer,
• hypotension,
• duodenal ulcer,
• diabetes,
• gastritis in the acute stage,
• chronic diarrhea,
• urolithiasis disease.

Hello, dear readers of the site.

Asia Minor and Transcaucasia are considered the historical homeland of beets. Until now, you can find its wild thickets with a woody root and lush leaves there.

It is the tops locals for a long time they were eaten (as it turned out in our time, it is no less valuable than root crops: it contains a lot of carotene, folic acid and vitamin C).

And dozens of generations of farmers were replaced before the red beets acquired juicy red roots.

This vegetable was very popular in ancient Rome.

Dishes from it adorned the tables of the most noble citizens (it was believed that red beets cause sexual desire).

Along with root crops, the Romans used leaves soaked in wine.

Emperor Tiberius demanded from the conquered Germans that they send tribute in red beets.

It appeared on the lands of Kievan Rus in the 10th century. And by the 14th century, it was most widely used, making a worthy alternative to turnips and rutabaga.

As in ancient Rome, beets were especially valued by men, confident that it gives them strength.

What does red beet cure?

The ancient Greek physician, the father of medicine, Hippocrates included red beets in the list medicinal plants. Subsequently, Avicenna, Paracelsus and many other, less well-known healers used it as a medicine.

Beetroot is rightly called the pantry of health, even called Ukrainian ginseng. It is an invaluable source of trace elements, including iron, cobalt, potassium, sodium, magnesium and others.

In addition, it is rich in vitamins, pectins, fiber, organic acids. So, eating beets in food in any form, you will be insured against many diseases.

Due to the presence of pectins, red beet helps to eliminate toxic substances, salts of heavy metals, radionuclides, and cholesterol from the body (the latter circumstance contributes to the prevention of atherosclerosis).

Fiber enhances the work of the intestines, the secretion of digestive juices and bile. Improves the functioning of the liver, pancreas and the entire gastrointestinal tract. Eating beets, it is easy to get rid of constipation.

Who regularly consumes this vegetable, he does not suffer from anemia. In addition, it contains vitamin U, which has anti-allergic and anti-ulcer properties. And folic acid is responsible for the rejuvenation of vascular and skin cells.

Eating beets is very important for the prevention of prostate diseases. It is also recommended for people with impaired metabolism - in particular, with obesity (especially with fatty liver).

With the systematic use of beets, a positive result is noticeable on the part of the nervous system: neurosis, insomnia disappear. Like chocolate, it contains tryptophan, which can help with depression.

What's more, the scientists found that animals fed beets developed immune bodies that could fight cancer cells. And beetroot has a diuretic property, so it is indicated for fluid retention in the body.

What can be used

The water in which the beets were boiled can be rubbed into the roots of the hair. it good remedy anti-dandruff.

Gruel from raw root crops or napkins soaked in juice is applied to ulcers and abscesses. Beetroot juice is useful for both old and young. But it must be used correctly.

After all, freshly prepared juice contains harmful volatile substances that can cause deterioration in the general condition, nausea and even vomiting. To turn into a valuable medicine, it must stand in the refrigerator for 4 hours. It is good to combine it with freshly squeezed carrot juice in a ratio of 1:4.

Beet juice helps with hypertension. Use it with honey at the rate of 1:1 for 1 tbsp. spoon 7 times a day. In the same proportion, it is used for menopause, but 1/3 cup 2 times a day. Relieves hot flashes, calms the nervous system. Beetroot juice is also used in cosmetics. Masks from it give the skin of the face freshness and softness.

Beets on our table

Both on weekdays and on holidays, beetroot deservedly takes pride of place in our menu. And if someone says that he does not like beets, there is a suspicion that he simply has not yet learned how to cook them deliciously. Is it possible to imagine Ukrainian cuisine without borscht - and borscht without beets? And the “fur coat”, and the vinaigrette?

This vegetable goes well with prunes, raisins, walnuts, peanuts, green peas, apple, egg. Wonderful salads are obtained with the addition of raw, sautéed or pickled onions. Beetroot with garlic is not only delicious, but also an extremely healthy salad in a hurry.

And beetroot desserts - have you ever tried them? I bring to your attention my favorite recipe.

Chop the peeled raw beets into cubes, add chopped lemon, a pinch of salt, sprinkle with sugar and simmer over low heat until cooked in a thick-bottomed dish (without water).

Drain the resulting juice into a separate bowl. Add prunes, raisins, dried apricots to the finished beets, walnuts. Lay everything out on a platter. Dissolve gelatin. Add to sour cream powdered sugar, vanillin and beat with a mixer, add gelatin, as well as juice released during stewing, and beat again.

Pour the cooled beets with whipped sour cream. Let it freeze. Melt chocolate in a water bath, cool and pour dessert over it (you can just sprinkle it with grated chocolate).

1. When you are going to boil the beets, you do not need to cut off the roots and top, as the coloring matter will leave and the product will become dull.
2. Putting the root should be in boiling water, in which you can add 1 teaspoon of sugar per 1 liter of water or a little vinegar (citric acid) - to preserve the brightness of the color.
3. You can’t salt the water, otherwise the beets will turn out tasteless!
4. The pot must be covered with a lid.
5. The dishes should be chosen so that they are filled with water as much as possible, since oxygen destroys vitamin C.
6. If the water boils away during cooking, add cold water.
7. You need to cook a whole beet for about 1 hour, then you should substitute it under a stream of cold water.
8. We clean the boiled beets immediately before cooking.

So don't neglect them!

In this video you will learn how to prepare delicious salad from red beets:

Glad to meet you, looking forward to your comments!

Red girl Beetroot

I don’t know about you, but in my childhood, beets were not held in high esteem. Now I like this simple beetroot salad with garlic for the content of nutrients and the sharpness of taste. As a child, cakes were much cuter. The turning point in my attitude to beets was the fairy tale film “Morozko”, in which Marfushechka rubbed her cheeks with this vegetable for a blush. After the movie screening, although the root crop did not become a favorite, I no longer denied salads with it, prudently leaving a little “for makeup”. Now, many years later, I understand that beets are not only suitable for vinaigrette and herring under a fur coat, but smearing her cheeks is not such a stupid idea!

Eastern guest

Today, in order to prepare a dish that includes beets, it is not at all necessary to boil for a long time, then peel the “beetroots”, staining the hands in a persistent red color. You can just come to the store and buy a root crop ready for use. But did you know that inexpensive, healthy and now familiar beetroot hundreds of years ago was a delicacy?
Like many plants, beets appeared in our latitudes thanks to merchants who brought them to Babylon, and then to Ancient Rome and Greece wild beet seeds from the East and India. By the way, initially only the leaves of the vegetable were eaten, and the roots were used to make medicines.
It is believed that in ancient times people ate leaf beets, or chard. It is still cultivated as a vegetable plant. The chard root grows no thicker than 2-3 cm, but its leaves are very large, juicy.
Be that as it may, both the Greeks and the Romans fell in love with beets. What is there! She received honors that were hardly ever given to other plants! This vegetable could only be on the table of a wealthy person, because it was not cheap. The Greeks made offerings to the gods in the form of silver figurines of beets or real root crops on a silver platter. Why such reverence? Most likely, because both the root crop and the leaves are rich in vitamins and useful trace elements, and regular consumption of beets in food has a positive effect on health.
Already by the beginning of our era, cultural forms of beets appeared, which were entirely edible, by about the 10th century. they became known in Russia, and after 3-4 centuries they "conquered" Europe.
In the middle of the XVIII century. It turned out that beets contain sugar. Now this fact does not surprise anyone, many are accustomed to buying it in bags. And in the XI century. Cane sugar was imported to Russia from abroad, and it cost so much!! Naturally, I wanted to get more sugar, and spend less on it. Beets in solving this problem came in handy.
The work of breeders began in 1747, when the scientist Andreas Marggraf determined the sugar content of beets. Another 50 years passed, and a factory appeared in Lower Silesia, where sugar was no longer produced from cane, but from beets.
Even politics has contributed to the history of sugar beets. The fact is that Napoleon was not pleased with the success of England in the sugar cane trade, and therefore the emperor set an unprecedented bonus - one million francs - to anyone who comes up with a cheap way to produce sugar. And although sugar beets were bred during the life of Napoleon, Bonaparte did not live to the moment when sugar production was put on stream.

Beet of our time

Beet (lat. Béta) is a genus of one-, two- and perennial herbaceous plants of the Amaranth family. Its most famous representatives are common beet (table), sugar beet and fodder beet.
The gastronomic plus of table beet is that it goes well with different products. In the summer, a light and tasty version of okroshka is made from it - beetroot (holodnik). And in the preparation of salads, it’s completely expanse: beets can be combined with herring, nuts, cheeses, prunes, mushrooms, olives, lemon zest and juice ... By the way, you should not clean the beets before cooking, and even more so cut them: they will boil out useful vitamins and micronutrients.
The word "beetroot" itself has Greek roots. In Russian, it is correct to pronounce it with an emphasis on the letter Y. By the way, in the southwestern regions of Russia, beets are called the same way as we do - beetroot or beetroot. There is an opinion that the Old Slavonic word "bursh" means "beet". It is possible that the beet-based soup was named after the plant from which it was prepared.
The white roots of sugar beets contain up to 23% sugar! Who knows how much this product would cost now if it were not for beets! There is even a monument to this vegetable in Kiev. However, what is surprising: Ukraine is in 1st place in the cultivation of beets. By the way, Belarus ranks 3rd among sugar beet producers, and Russia ranks 2nd.
Fodder beet, as its name implies, is usually eaten by animals. It happens that unscrupulous producers try to sell it under the guise of table beets. And what are the differences? Fodder beet contains more fiber and is much larger than table beet, but the taste of the latter is much better, because it is not in vain that its new varieties have been bred for many years.
We owe the origin of fodder beet to German peasants, who, as early as the 16th century. noticed the dependence of good milk yields of cows on the presence of beets in the diet of animals.
Initially, there was no official division of beets into species. But over time, each type began to be developed and improved depending on the goal: the fodder should be large, the sugar one should contain as many sugars as possible, the dining room should have excellent taste.

Carefully! Beet!

Some people should eat beets with caution. It can cause allergies - skin rashes or swelling of the respiratory tract. In this case, you should choose white table beets, which do not contain red pigments - the main allergens. For those who have heart problems, doctors do not recommend combining beets with garlic so as not to overload the blood vessels. In addition, raw beets are not the best choice for people with bowel disease.

Selected beets

How to choose a good beet? It seems that all of them, like two from a casket, are the same "from the face", more precisely, from the root crop. When choosing beets, you need to know some subtleties. To really buy useful product, pay attention to certain characteristics of root crops.
The form. Beets should be oval-spherical. But if it looks like a cone, or is too elongated, this is a sign of improper cultivation or even indicates a fodder variety.
Weight. Too large fruits may indicate intensive feeding with chemical fertilizers. A normal beetroot weighs about 0.5 kg.
Color. The root crop can be dark red, burgundy and even almost purple, and the leaves can be either green with red veins or red. It is important that there are no white inclusions in the pulp.
Skin. If you plan to store beets, be sure to carefully check appearance fruits. The skin should be intact, with no signs of rot. This rule applies to all vegetables and fruits.
Motherland. It is desirable to clarify where the beets came from. It accumulates salts of heavy metals, and therefore it is not recommended to eat root crops grown in ecologically unfavorable regions.
You can talk about the benefits of beets for a long time. In combination with various vegetables, prepared in various ways, it helps to improve the health of many human life systems. Beets are at their best in all respects valued in table plants. So the words addressed to Marfushka from the fairy tale after the beet “blushing”, they say, she is not a princess, but a princess, can also be attributed to the beet itself.

Beetroot grows on every continent except Antarctica.
- The ancient Greeks sacrificed beets to the god Apollo.
- In Russia, beets were baked in an oven and served with tea.
- The ancient Persians believed that beets are a symbol of gossip, quarrels and discord.
- The word "beetroot" comes from the Greek "seuklon", which means "royal".
- Beets are used in cosmetology for facial skin and hair care. Nutritious masks are made from this vegetable; it is believed that it helps to get rid of freckles and dandruff.
- AT Eastern Europe believed that the use of beets will help protect against the plague.
- There is a belief: if a man and a woman eat one beetroot together, they will fall in love with each other.
- In beets, not only the root crop is edible, but also the leaves rich in vitamins A, C and iron.