The Netherlands has been at the forefront of farming and horticulture for centuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Netherlands, the second stop of his foreign tour. He first went to UAE. After that Netherlands. Then there is a program to go to Sweden, Norway and Italy also. This visit of PM is considered very important amidst tension in many parts of the world. There can be many agreements with all the countries.
Come, on the pretext of PM’s visit, let us know how the orange carrot grown in honor of the royal family of the Netherlands became a symbol of respect and reached many parts of the world?
What is the secret of orange carrots?
Whenever Netherlands is discussed, tulips, windmills, canals and modern farming techniques are always mentioned, but another interesting identity is the orange carrot. Today this carrot is considered the most common throughout the world. Carrots of this color are mostly seen in the markets, in salads, juices and dishes. But was this color always like this? No.
Earlier carrots were available in many colours. Purple, yellow, white and red varieties were more common. Orange carrots became popular later. There is not just a story of farming or taste behind this. There is also a deep connection between history, politics, royal honor and national identity. This story from the Netherlands shows how even a simple vegetable can become a symbol of a country’s culture. At present the King of the Netherlands is Willem-Alexander. He is the emperor since 2013.
The orange carrot became a symbol of the culture of the Netherlands.
orange royal relationship
In the Netherlands, orange color is associated with the royal family. The royal family there is known as the House of Orange. This name is very important in history. William of Orange is considered a major leader in the Dutch independence struggle. He played an important role in the struggle against Spanish rule. For this reason, orange color gradually ceased to be just a color, but became a symbol of respect, unity and national pride.
It is said that Dutch farmers and horticulturists promoted carrot varieties that were orange in color. This was also considered a symbolic way of showing respect towards the royal family. In this way, thanks to the royal family, orange carrots reached the world.
Role of farmers and horticulturists
The Netherlands has been at the forefront of farming and horticulture for centuries. The farmers there not only grew crops but also worked on improving the varieties. Attention was given to aspects like seed selection, color, size, taste and production. This scientific and practical thinking helped in popularizing orange carrots.
The royal family of the Netherlands is known as ‘House of Orange’.
Such varieties were selected which had attractive colour, good taste, strong roots and were liked in the market. Gradually, farmers noticed that orange carrots are beautiful in appearance, easy to identify and also convenient to sell. Apart from being a symbol of royal honour, it also started meeting the needs of the market. This was the reason why its spread increased.
Not only respect, but also success in farming
The story of the orange carrot cannot be limited to royal honours. There were many practical reasons behind its success. This carrot was shiny in appearance. Customers loved it easily. The shape of its roots became more uniform. Its yield was better. It also proved useful in terms of storage and transportation. From food point of view, it also contains high amount of beta-carotene, which gets converted into Vitamin A in the body. Therefore, with time it also got publicity as a nutritious food. That is, orange carrot made its place in all four areas: respect, beauty, nutrition and market.
How was national identity formed?
The importance of orange color is still very deep in the Netherlands. Dutch supporters wear orange at sporting events. Orange color dominates national festivals. This color also appears prominent in events related to the royal family. In such an environment, the orange carrot emerged as a symbol. It was a thing related to the farm, was on the plate of common people, and was also associated with the spirit of the nation. The identity of a country is not made only by its flag, buildings or leaders. Sometimes food and agricultural products also become a part of the national image. This is what happened with the orange carrots. It became a story of Dutch land, Dutch hard work and Dutch honour.
Geland in Amsterdam. This visit to the Netherlands takes place at a moment when the free trade agreement between India and the EU has given an important impetus to trade and investment relations. It provides the opportunity for bands to strengthen areas such as pic.twitter.com/zXk3HZHVVN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2026
way to the world
When trade increased in Europe, sea routes became stronger and the era of colonies came, agricultural products also spread rapidly. The Netherlands was a major center of this trade network. Dutch traders were connected to many parts of the world. His ships went to Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Seeds, plants, agricultural techniques and new varieties also spread along this network. The popularity of orange carrots first rose in Europe. Then gradually it reached other countries also. Wherever European farming methods went, orange carrots made their place. Over time it became the world’s most familiar carrot.
How markets and food helped
Market plays a big role in popularizing any crop in the world. The specialty of orange carrot was that it was versatile in food. It can be eaten raw. Could be added to salad. It is easy to use by boiling, roasting, in soup, pickle, juice and sweets. It looks attractive in the plate. Even children like it easily. Health experts also considered it nutritious. For this reason its demand increased in the world markets. When a variety is successful in production, nutrition and sale, its global spread is almost certain.
PM Modi met people of Indian origin in Netherlands.
Carrot and orange identification in India
Carrots have their own rich tradition in India. Red carrots have also been very popular here, especially in North India. Carrot pudding, salad and pickles are part of Indian food. But with time orange carrots also made a strong place in the Indian market. Now it is very common in supermarkets, hotels, processed food and juice industries. This is an example of global agricultural exchange. The crop that becomes a symbol of one country also becomes a part of the food of other countries.
The extraordinary journey of an ordinary vegetable
The journey of the orange carrot is very interesting. It started from the farm. Related to royal honor. Then it became a national symbol. After that it reached the world through trade. There is history in this story too. There is emotion too. There is science too. There is also a market. Today, when we buy orange carrots from the market, we often do not think that such a long journey is hidden behind its color. But the truth is that it is not just a vegetable but also a cultural story. The Netherlands not only cultivated it, but gave it identity. The world adopted him. This is the reason why orange carrots are still considered an example of respect, tradition and global reach.
Also read: Which treasure of Netherlands made it a rich country? Where PM Modi reached
