{"product_id":"kyoto-red-carrot-seeds","title":"Kyoto Red Carrot Seeds — Heirloom Japanese Kintoki-Type, Deep Scarlet (Daucus carota)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eKyoto Red Carrot Seeds — Heirloom | Japanese Kintoki-Type Dento Yasai, Glossy Deep Scarlet 10–12 Inch Roots, Notably Sweet | 70–90 Days\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKyoto Red (\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e) is a celebrated Japanese traditional vegetable — a \u003cem\u003edento yasai\u003c\/em\u003e grown in the Kyoto area for centuries and a centerpiece of \u003cem\u003eoshogatsu\u003c\/em\u003e (New Year’s) cooking. This kintoki-type (sweet red) carrot produces glossy, deep scarlet roots 10–12 inches long that are notably tender and sweet, with color that develops when roots reach 3 inches and deepens beautifully during cool winter growing. Sow in early fall for a winter harvest. Excellent for carrot juice, steaming, julienned in \u003cem\u003enamasu\u003c\/em\u003e (su dressing with daikon), and traditional New Year’s preparations. ~100+ seeds per packet. 70–90 days to maturity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kintoki-type (Japanese sweet red carrot)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClassification:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eDento yasai\u003c\/em\u003e — traditional Kyoto heirloom vegetable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70–90 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to germination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12–18 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–12 inches long; 1–2 inches wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoot color:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy deep scarlet — deepens in cool\/winter growing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Notably tender and sweet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor development:\u003c\/strong\u003e Begins at ~3 inches; deepens with cool temperatures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early fall sow for winter harvest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.8–6.5; fertile, deeply dug, well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60–70°F preferred\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePacket size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 g \/ ~700+ Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSowing depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e ⅛ inch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–6 inches; 16 plants per sq ft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light shade\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–9\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heirloom, open-pollinated, non-GMO, cool-season annual\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDento Yasai — A Kyoto Traditional Vegetable\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKyoto Red is classified as a \u003cem\u003edento yasai\u003c\/em\u003e — a traditional Kyoto vegetable with centuries of cultivation history in the Kyoto region. The kintoki carrot type is distinct from Western carrot types: selected for deep red color, exceptional sweetness, and tender texture rather than the storage and yield characteristics that drove Western carrot breeding. In Kyoto, these carrots are harvested in winter when the cold intensifies both the color and the sweetness, and are a traditional ingredient in \u003cem\u003eoshogatsu\u003c\/em\u003e (New Year’s) cooking — often carved into decorative shapes representing good fortune for the coming year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eColor That Deepens in the Cold\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKyoto Red’s deep scarlet color comes from lycopene — the same antioxidant found in tomatoes — and develops progressively as the root grows. Color begins to appear when roots reach approximately 3 inches and deepens significantly during cool winter growing conditions. Fall-sown plants harvested in winter produce the most vivid, deeply colored roots. The color holds reasonably well through cooking, making Kyoto Red visually striking in both raw and cooked preparations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eIn the Kitchen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCarrot juice:\u003c\/strong\u003e The standout use — the high sugar content and deep red color produce a rich, sweet, visually striking juice; blend with ginger and yuzu for a Japanese-inspired preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNamasu:\u003c\/strong\u003e Julienne with daikon and toss with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for the classic Japanese New Year’s salad; the red and white color contrast is traditional and beautiful\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSteamed:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steam whole or halved and serve with a light dashi-based sauce; the tender texture shines with minimal preparation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOshogatsu cooking:\u003c\/strong\u003e A traditional New Year’s ingredient; use in \u003cem\u003enishime\u003c\/em\u003e (simmered vegetables) or carve into decorative plum blossom shapes for \u003cem\u003eosechi ryori\u003c\/em\u003e (New Year’s feast)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh eating:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sweet and crisp raw; the flavor is noticeably sweeter and more delicate than standard orange carrots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoasting \u0026amp; grilling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Halve lengthwise and roast or grill with sesame oil and mirin; the sweetness concentrates and the color deepens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds in early fall in a sunny location for a winter harvest — this is when color and sweetness develop best. Prepare fertile, deeply dug, well-drained soil (pH 5.8–6.5). Sow ⅛ inch deep, 3–6 inches apart. Keep soil consistently moist. Thin by cutting tops rather than pulling to avoid disturbing remaining roots. Mulch to keep soil cool and conserve moisture. Fertilize as needed during the growing season. Because Kyoto Red is a more tender variety, loosen soil thoroughly before harvest and pull gently — use a garden fork to ease roots from the ground without breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is a kintoki carrot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKintoki is a Japanese carrot type characterized by deep red color, exceptional sweetness, and tender texture — distinct from the Nantes, Imperator, and Danvers types common in Western gardens. The name comes from Kintoki, a legendary Japanese folk hero known for his red complexion and great strength. Kintoki carrots are grown primarily in the Kyoto region and are a centerpiece of traditional Japanese winter and New Year’s cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen should I sow Kyoto Red?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow in early fall for a winter harvest — this is the traditional growing season and produces the best color and sweetness. Cool temperatures intensify both the scarlet color and the sugar content. Spring sowing is possible but produces less vivid color and slightly less sweet roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat pests should I watch for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCarrot flies (carrot rust fly) are the primary pest — use floating row covers from sowing through establishment to exclude adults. Common diseases include various blights; maintain good airflow between plants and practice crop rotation to reduce disease pressure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"1 g \/ ~700+ Seeds","offer_id":43089238098054,"sku":"TLM\/A3-700-87-1225-29","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7705411937_p8xi.jpg?v=1770127813","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/kyoto-red-carrot-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}