'Küttiger Rüebli' White Carrot - Daucus carota

'Küttiger Rüebli' White Carrot – traditional Swiss landrace with white, aromatic roots. 

A robust, mid‑late‑maturing carrot with characteristic white, conical, sharply tapering roots. Its flavour is aromatic, earthy, and mildly sweet. The plants grow reliably, form firm flesh, and are ideal for open‑ground cultivation. Open‑pollinated, good for storage, and traditionally used for self‑sufficiency and organic production.

  Origin & History

'Küttiger Rüebli' is an open‑pollinated carrot variety from the canton of Aargau in Switzerland, documented since the 19th century. The variety belongs to the traditional landraces that were cultivated and passed down over many generations in the region of Küttigen. Botanically, it belongs to the family Apiaceae, the subfamily Apioideae, and the genus Daucus within the species Daucus carota.

The name 'Küttiger Rüebli' refers both to the characteristic white color of its roots and to its origin in the village of Küttigen. For a long time, the variety was considered a reliable late‑season type that produced stable yields even under cooler conditions and was valued for its good storability. Its white coloration corresponds to older European carrot types that were widespread before orange varieties became dominant and served as everyday root vegetables in many regions.

Despite the later rise of modern, sweeter carrot cultivars, it survived in its region of origin and continued to be used traditionally. Today, 'Küttiger Rüebli' is regarded as a historic Swiss carrot variety whose regional significance, genetic stability, and characteristic aroma have ensured its continued cultivation and preservation into the present day.

  Appearance & Characteristics

In the first year, the plants form a vigorous leaf rosette with foliage reaching about 30-40 cm in length. The roots are white, conical and tapering, typically reaching 15-20 cm in length. Frost‑tolerant down to -6 °C.

Root details:

• Size: Medium to large, with roots 15-20 cm long

• Shape: Conical, tapering

• Color: White, occasionally with a slight yellow tint

• Texture: Firm

• Flavor: Robust, aromatic, earthy, slightly sweet

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

The roots of 'Küttiger Rüebli' are suitable for fresh use as well as for cooked and steamed dishes. Historically, the variety was shaved, pickled and used in hearty stews. It stores well and retains its aroma. It is also excellent for roasted vegetables, braised dishes, soups and creamy soups, as its firm flesh remains stable during cooking. Finely grated, it serves as a base for patties, fillings and spreads. Due to its low sugar content, it is ideal for diet cuisine and for less sweet carrot dishes. The roots can be fermented, dried, juiced or used as a mild component in stocks, smoothies and baby food.

'Küttiger Rüebli' is robust, adaptable and delivers reliable yields in open‑field cultivation. The variety matures late and forms long, well‑shaped roots. It shows high tolerance to cool weather phases, develops stable roots even in less favorable summers and benefits from deep, loose soils. Thanks to its strong root system, it is comparatively drought‑resistant, while its uniform root development makes harvesting easier. The variety is also slow to bolt, shows good foliage health and is well suited for organic farming and mixed cropping.

Compared to other carrot varieties, 'Küttiger Rüebli' stands out for its robustness and its traditional, full flavor – ideal for anyone who appreciates historical varieties with reliable growth and characteristic white roots.