Beautiful, huh? Who knew carrots came in so many colors! Oranges, yellows, reds, whites, purples – each carrot at the farmer’s market this weekend came packing its own unique color punch. But hey – when was the last time you saw purple carrots in the grocery store??? The carrot has evolved over the years, turning into the beloved orange stick you see in grocery store – but where did it all begin?
Some History…
Carrots, a root vegetable, are considered to be a member of the Umbelliferae family, which also includes celery, parsley, dill, cilantro, caraway, cumin and the poisonous hemlock. Carrots originated in Afghanistan as purple, red, white, and yellow specimens, but not the familiar orange color we see today. The carrots that originated in Afghanistan are considered to be part of the class of carrots called Eastern carrots.
Western carrots emerged from the Netherlands around the 17th century. Western carrots include the familiar orange carrots, which came about by cross-breeding white and red carrots, in order to produce a color that was symbolic of the Dutch’s struggle for independence.
Some Nutrition…
Our familiar orange carrots get their pigment from an antioxidant known as beta carotene. Beta carotene is considered to be from a class of plant-derived chemical compounds known as phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are found in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and are believed to convey specific health benefits, such as increasing antioxidant activity, assisting with immune function, reducing inflammation, and providing antimicrobial activity. Beta carotene is considered to be a carotenoid, the primary source of dietary pro-vitamin A in the world, and a precursor to Vitamin A, which is needed for normal vision, bone growth, reproductive activity, and regulation of the immune system, among other things.
Carrots contain more beta carotene than any other vegetable, with about 16,679 IU of beta carotene per carrot. Though beta carotene is a healthy nutrient, eating too many carrots can actually turn your skin a yellowish-orange color, specifically on the palms or the soles of your feet. This phenomenon is known as carotemia, and is completely reversible, providing you slow up on your carrot intake (someone better warn Bugs Bunny!)
» Read more: The Colorful World of Carrots
