Purple Broccoli and Coloured Carrots!

With much excitement Year One enjoyed planting vegetables. The pupils were amazed that carrots are not all orange. We talked about carrots originally being purple in colour. Purple carrots were originally grown in Persia and date back to 900AD. It is thought that orange carrots were selectively bred by Dutch farmers in the 16/17th century in a tribute to William of Orange. But it is more likely the Dutch farmers crossed the red and yellow varieties for a sweeter taste.  

The pupils also learned that purple sprouting broccoli is an ancient vegetable originating in the Mediterranean and cultivated by the Romans. Known historically as “Bruttium broccoli” in the 1st century AD, it was prized for its winter-hardy nature.