Even though available in white, yellow, purple and violet, orange carrots are the ones used most commonly. Carrots are known to exist since long. But domestication occurred around the Mediterranean, Iran and the Balkans.

In Roman and early medieval times, carrots were branched like the roots of wild types, the conical-rooted varities seem to have originated in Asia around AD1000. Moorish invaders took them to Spain in the 12th century, they reached Northwest Europe by the 14th century and England in the 15th century. The European explorers took the carrot across the Atlantic soon after the discovery of the New World and it was growing on Margarita Island of f the west of Venezuela in 1565, arriving in Brazil before the middle of the 17th century. The Pilgrim Fathers took it to North America and it was grown by early colonists in Jamestown, Virginia in 1609.

Later it spread in other parts of the world and its daily consumption increased in the 18th century.   

Benefits:

Carrots have long been known to make one see in the dark. These are extremely rich in beta-carotene (Vitamin A), Vitamin B and small amount of Vitamin C. These are also said to make hair curly. Reputed to be therapeutic against asthma, general nervousness, dropsy and skin disorders, research suggests that high intake of beta-carotene slows cancerous growth. Beetroot and carrot juice are reported to prevent diarrhea.

Carrots contain folate which helps in the formation of blood. Carrots are very beneficial for the patients of anemia. Carrots also contain calcium beneficial for the bones. The phosphorous in carrots helps in the proper functioning of nervous system.