Tag: Colored carrots

Before the 17th century, the familiar orange carrot didn't even exist; instead, carrots were commonly purple, yellow, or white. What are multi-colored carrots called today is an easy answer: "rainbow carrots," a term used for a mixture of colorful varieties that bring a visual pop and unique flavors to dishes.

While the classic orange carrot became the most popular variety in the 17th century, early cultivated carrots were actually purple or yellow. This diverse history of the root vegetable prompts a common culinary question: Are colored carrots sweeter than their orange counterparts?. The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, as flavor is influenced by a variety of factors beyond just color.