What is a baby carrot?

I bet you thought baby carrots were miniature versions of the real deal. Maybe they are just picked earlier, or perhaps are a different, smaller variety.

Nope. None of the above.

Baby carrots are just plain old carrots. The funny-looking, lumpy-bumpy carrots that grow but don't get sold are simply cut down and run through a machine that peels and smooths them. There is nothing special about them, other than their convenient size.

So why does this information help you? It can save you money if you just want to buy carrots and cut and peel them yourself. Better yet, just wash them and leave on the valuable nutrients in the peel. I for one am thinking about leaving my days of baby carrot purchasing behind, as any kind of processed food, no matter how slightly, leaves me suspicious.