Question
I have a question on carrots. Why would mechanically peeled 2" carrots turn slimy on the outside overnight? Does it need to be soaked in regular water, chlorinated water, or no water at all? (F.R.)
Answer
Sliming of carrots would not be expected in such a short time frame unless (one possibility) they have been treated with a highly acidified "finishing agent" and/or been subjected to uniform contamination with high levels of certain spoilage microbes AND warm temperatures post-peeling. In order to attempt to create a short list of areas to look at first, within your operation, and enable a search for contributing factors it is essential to have more information on the temperature history of carrots from field to cooler as well as any information on the current management of water from dump flume to finished product.
-Trevor Suslow