Beets are native to the shores of North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; they were first cultivated by the ancient Romans. In the 19th century, beets were converted to sugar on a large scale, 

increasing the commercial value of the crop. Beets are a member of the Amaranthaceae family, along with chard, quinoa, and spinach. This vegetable’s root comes in an array of colors, including deep red, red and white striped, orange, golden yellow, and purple.