Advice on sweetest carrot variety

It's only this last two years that I have been able to grow carrots successfully and have used stump rooted Nantes type but they always look pale and have a slightly bitter taste. I use raised beds and have lightened my heavy silty soil with gritty top soil plus my own compost and use a four year rotation system. The paleness I put down to a lack of caretinoids but I don't know why. What varieties and feeding programme would you recommend to get a lovely, deep red and sweet carrot?

Hi Goosegirl

I'm not an expert - only been growing carrots for 2 years too, but with success, mainly so thought I'd give it a shot seeing as you didn't get many answers.

Mainly wanted to say I came across someone on another forum complaining about bitter carrots and the responses suggested it may be a duff packet of seed that had accidentally crossed with wild carrots - easily done apparently and then they would taste bitter.  I was wondering if you're talking about the same packet of seed or whether you've tried different ones.

I've found some carrots far more vigorous than others - this is my favourite so far "Lisse de Meaux" and for me it's exactly as they describe. I'd say - dense, sweet, dark flesh - good for long cooking.
http://www.realseeds.co.uk/carrots.html

I don't like Nantes too much.  I have found it very pale and mild in comparison.

Hi, i had a thread on bitter tasting swedes ( see list ) through lack of water, the same can happen to carrots so make sure you keep your bed moist.