Yes, different colored carrots are natural.
While the vibrant orange carrot is the most widely recognized today, carrots have naturally occurred in a variety of colors throughout history and continue to do so.
The Natural Spectrum of Carrots
The idea that carrots are exclusively orange is a relatively modern concept in the long history of this root vegetable. Long before the common orange type dominated the market, carrots displayed a much broader spectrum of colors.
Historical Roots
According to historical accounts, until the late 16th century, a significant shift occurred in carrot cultivation. Before this period, when Dutch growers specifically developed the familiar sweet, plump orange variety, almost all cultivated carrots were a deep, black purple. This clearly indicates that purple carrots were the natural, predominant form in cultivation for a considerable time.
Modern Varieties
Today, this natural diversity is still evident. Carrots are available in a rainbow of colours, extending far beyond just orange.
These natural colors include:
- Purple: Often purple on the outside with an orange or yellow core.
- Red: High in lycopene, similar to tomatoes.
- White: Lacking the pigments found in other colors.
- Yellow: High in lutein, beneficial for eye health.
- Orange: High in beta-carotene.
Even though the bright orange variety was selectively bred for specific traits like sweetness and yield, the existence of purple, red, white, and yellow varieties demonstrates that these colors are part of the plant's natural genetic makeup and historical lineage.
