DID YOU KNOW…
The Surprising True Colors of Early Carrots!
Did you know that carrots weren't originally orange? For centuries, these root vegetables came in a vibrant palette of purple, white, yellow, and even black before the familiar orange variety became dominant.
The ubiquitous orange carrot we see today is a relatively recent invention, first cultivated in the Netherlands in the 17th century. Dutch growers selectively bred existing yellow and red varieties, likely for both patriotic reasons (matching the House of Orange) and their superior flavor and nutritional profile. This orange hue is due to high levels of beta-carotene, a pigment the human body converts to vitamin A, giving them a significant nutritional advantage. This combination of appeal and nutrition eventually helped the orange carrot eclipse its multicolored predecessors in popularity worldwide.
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