In the 17th century, Dutch growers cultivated orange carrots as a tribute to William of Orange – who led the the struggle for Dutch independence – and the color stuck. A thousand years of yellow, white and purple carrot history was wiped out in a generation.
Source. h/t Suzy Khimm
One Response
Surely it is taste that has led to orange carrot hegemony (not a phrase I expected to use today). Have you ever tried purple carrots? They certainly look very quaint in the “traditional varieties” vegetable box we get delivered. With one crucial difference… they don’t taste of anything. Nada. Zip. Nothing.