Name: Carrots are propaganda! And it’s not always orange, also, is it fruit or vegetable?
Uploaded: 2024-03-17T22:42:17.000Z
Duration: 20 min 50 s

Do you know carrots are not always orange?

And do you know different colors of carrots might have different micronutrients?

And, when you bite into a carrot, have you ever stopped to ponder if you're enjoying

It might seem like a simple question, but the distinctions between fruits and vegetables

are more intricate than most might suspect.

Let's unpack these conundrums with PAA, so today's keyword is carrot, let's go!

Okay, let's start with the first one: Are Carrots Fruit or Vegetable?The Botanical,

Culinary, and Nutritional Definition In the botanical world, definitions are precise.

A fruit, strictly speaking, is the mature ovary of a plant, typically containing seeds.

This definition means that several items we consume as 'vegetables'—like tomatoes

and bell peppers—are technically fruits!

On the flip side, the term 'vegetable' is more of a culinary classification rather

It broadly covers edible plant parts, including leaves (like lettuce), stems (like asparagus),

roots (like carrots), and even flowers (like broccoli).

From a nutritional perspective, USDA's website describes Vegetable Group as any vegetable

or 100% vegetable juice, counting as part of the Vegetable Group.

The vegetables, which may be raw or cooked, fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated,

and might be whole, cut-up, or mashed, are organized into five subgroups:

1.Dark-Green Vegetables, dark-green vegetables are known for their rich vitamin, mineral,

and antioxidant content, which include staples like spinach, kale, and broccoli.

Beans and Peas: beans and peas are a nutritious and protein-rich category of vegetables that

include versatile options like black beans, lentils, and chickpeas.

3.Starchy Vegetables: starchy vegetables are recognized for their higher carbohydrate content

and include various vegetables like potatoes, corn, and acorn squash.

4.Red and Orange Vegetables: they are often celebrated for their beta-carotene and antioxidant

levels, including colorful options such as tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Other Vegetables, this encompasses a wide range of nutritionally diverse options, including

vegetables like cauliflower, cucumbers, and eggplant.

Botanically speaking, a variety of food items including tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers

are categorized as fruits based on their seed-bearing structure.

However, due to their nutrient profiles, common uses in savory dishes, and flavor characteristics,

they are nutritionally recognized as vegetables.

Conversely, the Fruit Group embraces botanical fruits that are notably sweet or tart, aligning

Given these definitions, it's clear: carrots are vegetables.

Specifically, they fall under the category of root vegetables, sharing this designation

with other underground vegetables like beets, radishes, and potatoes, and depending on the

color of the carrot it can or cannot be orange vegetables

Notice that while a potato is considered a root vegetable, specifically, it is a tuber,

which is a large underground stem that stores nutrients.

While potatoes grow underground like many other root vegetables, they differ slightly

in that they are the plant's stem rather than its actual roots.

Carrots, with their distinct orange hue and crunchy texture, are believed to have their

Carrots, as we know them today, are believed to have originated from Central Asia, particularly

the regions that are now Iran and Afghanistan.

These areas were once part of the ancient Persian Empire.

The original wild ancestors of the carrot are thought to be purple or white with a thin,

woody core, quite different from the large, orange, sweet carrots that are commonly grown

Historically, carrots were cultivated for their aromatic leaves and seeds rather than

While the most familiar carrot color is orange, it's intriguing to note that they haven't

Historical records indicate a spectrum of carrot colors, including purple, red, yellow,

The dominance of the orange carrot is a relatively recent phenomenon, often attributed to Dutch

They supposedly cultivated this variant as a tribute to William of Orange,a key leader

in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, and seen as the founding father of the nation.

although the validity of this tale is debated.

John Stolarczyk, curator of the World Carrot Museum, asserts that while the orange carrot's

development coincides with this historical period, there's no proof linking its cultivation

Instead, its prevalence can be attributed to agricultural reasons.

Orange carrots thrived exceptionally well in the Dutch climate, outperforming their

They offered more yield, and were more stable, uniform, and reliable, making them a preferred

The Dutch, being major agricultural influencers in 16th-century Europe, propagated these carrots

Their efficiency in cultivating this variant led to its spread and eventual popularity

While the association between orange carrots and the Dutch royal family makes for a compelling

narrative, it's the practical agricultural benefits of the orange variety that truly

Beyond their culinary appeal, carrots are nutritional powerhouses.

They are especially renowned for their high vitamin A content, which is crucial for maintaining

The body converts the beta-carotene found in carrots into vitamin A. Moreover, carrots

are rich in other antioxidants like Lutein, which combats degenerative eye conditions.

Carrots also offer other vitamins such as K and B6, fiber, and have been linked to numerous

health benefits, including promoting healthy skin, aiding digestion, and even combating

Interestingly, different colors of carrots might have slightly different nutritional

values, according to an article published in "Plants" in 2023:

Purple or black carrots are rich in anthocyanins, providing antioxidant properties and potentially

playing a role in heart health and anti-inflammatory responses.

Orange carrots are notably high in β-carotene and α-carotene, which are vital provitamin

A carotenoids essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.