{"product_id":"semences-betterave-ruby-ecologique","title":"Bull's Blood Beet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeta vulgaris.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unique beet grown primarily for its leaves, and probably the most ornamental in the vegetable garden. An old European variety, pre-1840 and probably of Hungarian or Alsatian origin, Bull's Blood (\u003cem\u003esang de bœuf\u003c\/em\u003e in traditional French) owes its name to the astonishing colour of its foliage: a deep burgundy red, almost purple, with a dark metallic sheen that does indeed recall the colour of dried blood. This extraordinarily dense pigmentation comes from an exceptional concentration of \u003cem\u003ebetalains\u003c\/em\u003e — the red-violet compounds that give beets their characteristic tint, the same pigments that sometimes turn urine pink after eating beets, a harmless and unevenly distributed phenomenon in the population (about 10 to 15 % of people are sensitive to it — it's genetic).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a long time, this variety was grown mainly in European ornamental gardens as a colourful border plant; only recently, in the wake of the mesclun and microgreen wave, has it rediscovered its full vegetable-garden vocation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fairly modest plant 30 to 35 cm tall, which forms from the start a rosette of leaves of a particularly bright and lustrous deep burgundy red, even more intensely coloured under cool conditions (spring and fall). To be harvested in three stages: as microgreens at the cotyledon stage (10 to 14 days), perfect for decorating a plate of tartare or a \u003cem\u003ecarpaccio\u003c\/em\u003e, where they bring an unequalled visual punch at minimal dose; as tender young leaves at the 7-10 cm stage (35 to 45 days) for mesclun and mixed salads, where they bring character and colour to the usually too-green mix; and as mature leaves (55 to 60 days) cooked like Swiss chard, sautéed with garlic in olive oil, added to soups or stir-fries. The roots, which mature at the same time as the mature leaves, are a classic deep red, more modest in size than the root-type varieties (5 to 7 cm), with a classic beet flavour slightly more earthy — good but not exceptional. It's not for them that you grow Bull's Blood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo note for aesthetes: the intense red of betalains is also used as a natural food colouring (E162), and cooking Bull's Blood produces a magenta-pink cooking water of extraordinary beauty that can be used to naturally tint homemade pasta, rice, or even cake fondant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Like Chioggia, the seed \"grain\" is really a glomerule containing several true seeds, so thinning after emergence is imperative. For microgreen or young-leaf culture, sow in a relatively tight band and harvest by cutting at the base with scissors — the plant often regrows in smaller secondary shoots. For standard culture (roots + mature leaves), thin to 8-10 cm in the row and harvest outer leaves as they go throughout the season, leaving the heart to keep producing. Soaking the seeds 4 to 6 hours before sowing speeds up germination. Direct sowing only, as soon as the soil can be worked (early May in Québec), and staggered sowings possible through late July for a fall harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Heirloom variety pre-1840. Biennial — flowering in the second year. Wind-pollinated; crosses with all other beets and Swiss chards — isolate for seed saving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 30 to 35 cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaturity: 10 to 14 days for microgreens, 35 to 45 for young leaves, 55 to 60 for mature leaves and roots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun; part shade tolerated in summer (foliage colour is even more intense in light shade).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoose, well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Thin according to intended use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirect-sow early May in Québec, 1 cm deep. Staggered sowings through late July for a fall harvest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"200","offer_id":41741393658028,"sku":"GC-O-BEERUB-200","price":0.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1000","offer_id":41741393690796,"sku":"GC-O-BEERUB-1K","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5000","offer_id":41741393723564,"sku":"GC-O-BEERUB-5K","price":12.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/rubybeet.jpg?v=1698701225","url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/products\/bulls-blood-beet-seeds","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}