What soil condition can cause carrots to develop a distinctly bitter taste?

Heavily fertilized soil, particularly those high in nitrogen

The presence of excessive nutrients in the growing medium directly impacts the resulting flavor profile of the root vegetable. When carrots are cultivated in soil that has received heavy fertilization, especially fertilizer sources rich in nitrogen, this imbalance can trigger a chemical reaction or concentration within the carrot tissue that manifests as a distinctly bitter flavor when consumed. This bitterness is an inherent characteristic derived from the growing environment, suggesting that managing fertilizer inputs is a primary concern for achieving sweeter results before any cooking methods are even applied. Addressing this root cause—the soil composition itself—is noted as the initial step before employing flavor enhancers like sugar or butter.