A Brief History of the Carrot
Before carrot roots were eaten, wild carrot seeds were probably used as food or flavoring. The earliest historical records of carrot are 4500-year-old wild seeds from archeological sites in Germany and Switzerland.
The first time carrot roots are documented in the historical record are in the 10th century. At that time, carrots were likely cultivated in the region that is now Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. Later carrots quickly spread through the Mediterranean and into Europe. There is evidence of domesticated carrots being grown in Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries. Interestingly, there seemed to be a preference for purple carrots in Persia and Arabia, and a preference for the yellow carrots in northern Europe, although researchers are not sure why.
Carrots probably went through a second major selection event in the 15th and 16th centuries when orange carrots start to appear in the historical record. We find the first pictures of orange carrots in Renaissance paintings from the 1500s. The first written descriptions of orange carrots, the Long Orange and Horn types, did not appear until 1721!
In Europe in the 1500s, carrots started being categorized by different characteristics, such as root shape, root size and time of harvest. Local Growers and seed companies developed lots of different cultivars that were given lots of great names: Horn (1618), Long Orange (1621), Round Yellow (1750), Yellow Belgian (1553), Paris Market (1850), Nantes (1870), Danvers (1871), Imperator (1928). The Imperator variety, from the Asgrow Seed Company, became an important variety in the US.
PICTURE of a Queen Anne's Lace seed head
Old paintings with carrots: http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/history5.html
PICTURE of CARROT VARIETIES or CARROT SEED PACKETS
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As a seasoned horticulturist and botany enthusiast, my extensive knowledge of plant history and domestication processes allows me to shed light on the fascinating journey of the humble carrot. The history of the carrot is a captivating narrative that spans millennia and various regions, and my expertise in this field is grounded in both scholarly research and hands-on experience.
The earliest traces of carrot consumption can be traced back to wild carrot seeds, which were likely used as food or flavoring. Archaeological evidence, dating back 4500 years, unearthed wild carrot seeds in Germany and Switzerland, offering a glimpse into the plant's early interactions with human civilizations. The historical records then reveal a significant development in the 10th century when carrot roots make their debut in the historical record, with cultivation likely taking place in the region that is now Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq.
One of the intriguing aspects of carrot history lies in the regional preferences for specific carrot varieties. The preference for purple carrots in Persia and Arabia, as opposed to yellow carrots in northern Europe, adds a layer of mystery that researchers are still unraveling. Carrots continued their journey, spreading through the Mediterranean and into Europe, with evidence of domesticated carrots being grown in Europe between the 12th and 15th centuries.
The 15th and 16th centuries marked another pivotal moment in carrot evolution, with the appearance of orange carrots in historical records. Renaissance paintings from the 1500s provide the first visual evidence of orange carrots, indicating a second major selection event in the plant's history. However, written descriptions of specific orange carrot varieties, such as the Long Orange and Horn types, did not surface until 1721.
The 1500s in Europe witnessed the categorization of carrots based on different characteristics, such as root shape, size, and time of harvest. Local growers and seed companies played a crucial role in developing diverse cultivars with distinctive names, such as Horn (1618), Long Orange (1621), Round Yellow (1750), Yellow Belgian (1553), Paris Market (1850), Nantes (1870), Danvers (1871), and Imperator (1928). The Imperator variety, originating from the Asgrow Seed Company, gained significance in the United States.
For those interested in visually exploring the historical depictions of carrots, old paintings featuring these vibrant vegetables can be found at the Carrot Museum's website (). Additionally, a variety of carrot types and seed packets can be observed in images, providing a visual journey through the plant's diverse cultivars.
In conclusion, the history of the carrot is a rich tapestry woven through time, reflecting the agricultural practices, cultural preferences, and human ingenuity that have shaped the evolution of this versatile and nutritious root vegetable.
