Carrot is a product popular all over the world. It is valued not only for its useful properties but also for its pleasant taste, being an ingredient of dishes in the cuisines of different peoples of the world. Long centuries of breeding have made this vegetable sweet and tasty, although initially, people ate only carrot seeds and tops.
Amazing facts about carrot
- Eating carrots in large quantities can change the color of the skin, adding a yellowish-orange tint. In the case of birds, the same will happen with plumage.
- The place of origin of the carrot is unknown, but most researchers are inclined to believe that it first appeared on the territory of Afghanistan.
- Until the 17th century, carrots were tough, bitter, and had purple color. But thanks to the efforts of breeders, it has acquired the kind that it has now.
- Eating carrots helps to reduce the cholesterol level in the blood.
- In the US city of Holtville, a carrot festival goes on annually.
- As a result of heat treatment, carrots lose some of the nutrients, but they are absorbed better.
- The longest carrot ever grown is more than 19 feet (5.84 meters).
- Carrot gnawing can replace a toothbrush and toothpaste, perfectly cleaning teeth and gums.
- In some European countries, it’s considered a fruit, not a vegetable.
- Carrot jam is really popular in Portugal.
- Roasted carrots can be used to make a drink that tastes like coffee.
- In non-smokers, carrots reduce the risk of lung cancer, and in smokers, on the contrary, increase.
- Freshly squeezed carrot juice is very rich in antiseptics, and with regular use, it significantly reduces the risk of a heart attack.
- Eating carrots helps to tan faster in the sun, as it accelerates the production of melanin.
- The most massive carrot weighing almost 19 pounds (8.61 kg) was grown in the US, Alaska.
- The first officially registered variety of carrots was bred in the 16th century in the Netherlands.
- Carrots contain record amounts of vitamin A.
- Since ancient times, it is used in Russia as a part of traditional medicine, combined with natural honey.
- Carrots are the most commonly eaten root among those with a taproot.
- In India, carrots are an ingredient in many different sweet desserts.
- The man who voiced the popular cartoon character, Bugz Bunny rabbit, known for his love of carrots, always said he hated carrots.
- The diet of elephants kept in the zoo includes up to 5 kilograms of carrots daily.
- The US ranks first in the world for the production and processing of this root crop, as well as its consumption per capita per year.