For centuries, wild carrots were naturally purple, white, or yellow. The vibrant orange carrots we eat today were selectively bred by Dutch farmers in the 17th century as a tribute to the Dutch Royal Family, known as the House of Orange.
When you think of a carrot, you instantly picture a bright orange vegetable. But if you traveled back in time about 400 years, your dinner plate would have looked much more purple.
Historically, wild carrots originated in Persia (modern-day Iran). These early carrots came in a variety of colors: deep purple, pale yellow, and off-white. Orange was actually a rare genetic mutation that wasn't very popular at first.
In the 17th century, the Netherlands was a major agricultural power. At that time, the Dutch were fighting for independence, led by William of Orange. To honor their leader and the national color, Dutch farmers took the rare yellow and purple-red mutant strains and carefully cross-bred them until they created a stable, bright orange carrot.
The orange carrot didn't just win because of politics; it was also practical:
The orange carrot is essentially a 400-year-old political tribute that tasted so good it took over the world. Today, "heirloom" purple and yellow carrots are returning to markets, showing us the vegetable's colorful roots.
