Spent my entire life from a child hating beetroot and even the smell of it.
A few years ago when I first got an allotment I was asked if we could grow some. It was very easy to grow, lo and behold I tried it once again after this lifelong abstenance. How amazing it was and now I plant it every few weeks and have a constant supply throughout the year.
Two point mentioned in this thread that I would question .. why would you expect the ends of the beetroot to be pleasant .. I take the top and base off when I remove them from the ground.
Secondly ... why would you boil it .. put a dribble of water in a pyrex dish and microwave it until its done.
Just test it, as you would a potato. With a sharp spike.