Carrot discoloration in storage

This year I stored my carrots in the root cellar inside 5 gallon buckets with lightly damp sawdust (I believe hemlock).  We brushed the dirt off of them but didn't wash them when they went into storage.  So far I'm liking the system because the carrots are easy to clean and the buckets aren't too heavy.  Last year I did damp sand which made a mess.

I'm not sure if my storage method is causing this but my carrots seem to have developed a tan discoloration on their surface.  They aren't rotting and it is just on the surface.  Our root cellar was in the mid 30s all winter but it now warming up into the 40s with our early spring.  I noticed the discoloration before it warmed up.

Any ideas on where this came from?  This photo is from after I just washed it off.

Thanks!!

Hi,

That is discoloration from abrasion.  Usually from washing or rubbing or harvest.


Cheers,
Zach

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Awesome, thanks Zack!