Carrots are propaganda!

胡蘿蔔是政治宣傳的工具！

Today I want to Google about carrots.

今天我想用谷歌搜尋胡蘿蔔。

Do you know carrots are not always orange?

你知道胡蘿蔔並不總是橙色的嗎？

And do you know different colors of carrots might have different micronutrients?

您知道不同顏色的胡蘿蔔可能含有不同的微量營養素嗎？

And, when you bite into a carrot, have you ever stopped to ponder if you're enjoying

而且，當您咬胡蘿蔔時，您是否曾經停下來思考您正在享受的

a fruit or a vegetable?

是水果還是蔬菜？

It might seem like a simple question, but the distinctions between fruits and vegetables

這似乎是一個簡單的問題，但水果和蔬菜之間的差異

are more intricate than most might suspect.

比大多數人想像的要複雜得多。

Let's unpack these conundrums with PAA, so today's keyword is carrot, let's go!

讓我們用 PAA 來解開這些難題，所以今天的關鍵字是胡蘿蔔，走吧！

Okay, let's start with the first one: Are Carrots Fruit or Vegetable?The Botanical,

好的，讓我們從第一個開始：胡蘿蔔是水果還是蔬菜？植物學、

Culinary, and Nutritional Definition In the botanical world, definitions are precise.

烹飪和營養的定義在植物學世界中，定義是精確的。

A fruit, strictly speaking, is the mature ovary of a plant, typically containing seeds.

嚴格來說，果實是植物成熟的子房，通常含有種子。

This definition means that several items we consume as 'vegetables'—like tomatoes

這個定義意味著我們作為“蔬菜”食用的幾種物品（例如西紅柿

and bell peppers—are technically fruits!

和青椒）從技術上講都是水果！

On the flip side, the term 'vegetable' is more of a culinary classification rather

另一方面，「蔬菜」一詞是一種烹飪分類，而不是

than a strict botanical one.

嚴格的植物學分類。

It broadly covers edible plant parts, including leaves (like lettuce), stems (like asparagus),

它廣泛涵蓋可食用的植物部分，包括葉（如生菜）、莖（如蘆筍）、

roots (like carrots), and even flowers (like broccoli).

根（如胡蘿蔔），甚至花（如花椰菜）。

From a nutritional perspective, USDA's website describes Vegetable Group as any vegetable

從營養角度來看，USDA 網站將蔬菜組描述為任何蔬菜

or 100% vegetable juice, counting as part of the Vegetable Group.

或 100% 蔬菜汁，算作蔬菜組的一部分。

The vegetables, which may be raw or cooked, fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated,

蔬菜可以是生的或熟的、新鮮的、冷凍的、罐裝的或乾燥/脫水的，

and might be whole, cut-up, or mashed, are organized into five subgroups:

也可以是完整的、切碎的或搗碎的，分為五個亞組：

1.Dark-Green Vegetables, dark-green vegetables are known for their rich vitamin, mineral,

1.深綠色蔬菜、深綠色蔬菜以其豐富的維生素、礦物質和抗氧化劑含量而聞名

and antioxidant content, which include staples like spinach, kale, and broccoli.

，其中包括菠菜、羽衣甘藍和綠花椰菜等主食。

2.

2.

Beans and Peas: beans and peas are a nutritious and protein-rich category of vegetables that

豆類和豌豆：豆類和豌豆是一種營養豐富且富含蛋白質的蔬菜，

include versatile options like black beans, lentils, and chickpeas.

包括黑豆、扁豆和鷹嘴豆等多種選擇。

3.Starchy Vegetables: starchy vegetables are recognized for their higher carbohydrate content

3.澱粉類蔬菜：澱粉類蔬菜因其碳水化合物含量較高而聞名

and include various vegetables like potatoes, corn, and acorn squash.

，包括馬鈴薯、玉米和橡子南瓜等各種蔬菜。

4.Red and Orange Vegetables: they are often celebrated for their beta-carotene and antioxidant

4.紅色和橙色蔬菜：它們通常因其β-胡蘿蔔素和抗氧化劑

levels, including colorful options such as tomatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

含量而聞名，包括西紅柿、胡蘿蔔和紅薯等色彩繽紛的蔬菜。

5.

5.

Other Vegetables, this encompasses a wide range of nutritionally diverse options, including

其他蔬菜，包括多種營養豐富的選擇，包括

vegetables like cauliflower, cucumbers, and eggplant.

花椰菜、黃瓜和茄子等蔬菜。

Botanically speaking, a variety of food items including tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers

從植物學角度來說，包括番茄、酪梨和黃瓜在內的多種食品

are categorized as fruits based on their seed-bearing structure.

根據其種子結構被歸類為水果。

However, due to their nutrient profiles, common uses in savory dishes, and flavor characteristics,

然而，由於它們的營養成分、在鹹味菜餚中的常見用途以及風味特徵，

they are nutritionally recognized as vegetables.

它們在營養上被認為是蔬菜。

Conversely, the Fruit Group embraces botanical fruits that are notably sweet or tart, aligning

相反，水果組則採用特別甜或酸的植物水果，符合

with common consumer perceptions.

消費者的一般看法。

Given these definitions, it's clear: carrots are vegetables.

鑑於這些定義，很明顯：胡蘿蔔是蔬菜。

Specifically, they fall under the category of root vegetables, sharing this designation

具體來說，它們屬於根類蔬菜的類別，

with other underground vegetables like beets, radishes, and potatoes, and depending on the

與其他地下蔬菜（如甜菜、蘿蔔和馬鈴薯）共為此分類，並且根據

color of the carrot it can or cannot be orange vegetables

胡蘿蔔的顏色，它可以是或不能是橙色蔬菜。

Notice that while a potato is considered a root vegetable, specifically, it is a tuber,

請注意，雖然馬鈴薯被視為根莖類蔬菜，具體來說，它是一種塊莖，

which is a large underground stem that stores nutrients.

是一種儲存營養的大型地下莖。

While potatoes grow underground like many other root vegetables, they differ slightly

雖然馬鈴薯像許多其他根類蔬菜一樣生長在地下，但它們略有不同

in that they are the plant's stem rather than its actual roots.

，因為它們是植物的莖而不是真正的根。

What color is a carrot?

紅蘿蔔是什麼顏色的？

The Evolution and History of Carrots

胡蘿蔔的演變和歷史

Carrots, with their distinct orange hue and crunchy texture, are believed to have their

胡蘿蔔具有獨特的橙色色調和鬆脆的質地，被認為起源

roots (pun intended!) in Persia.

於波斯（雙關語！）。

Carrots, as we know them today, are believed to have originated from Central Asia, particularly

我們今天所知的胡蘿蔔被認為起源於中亞，特別是

the regions that are now Iran and Afghanistan.

現在的伊朗和阿富汗地區。

These areas were once part of the ancient Persian Empire.

這些地區曾經是古代波斯帝國的一部分。

The original wild ancestors of the carrot are thought to be purple or white with a thin,

胡蘿蔔的原始野生祖先被認為是紫色或白色的，有一個薄薄的

woody core, quite different from the large, orange, sweet carrots that are commonly grown

木質核心，與今天普遍種植和食用的大的、橙色的、甜的胡蘿蔔有很大不同

and eaten today.

。

Historically, carrots were cultivated for their aromatic leaves and seeds rather than

從歷史上看，人們種植胡蘿蔔是為了獲取其芳香的葉子和種子，而不是

the taproot we commonly consume today.

我們今天通常食用的主根。

While the most familiar carrot color is orange, it's intriguing to note that they haven't

雖然最熟悉的胡蘿蔔顏色是橙色，但有趣的是它們並不

always been this shade.

總是這種顏色。

Historical records indicate a spectrum of carrot colors, including purple, red, yellow,

歷史記錄顯示胡蘿蔔有多種顏色，包括紫色、紅色、黃色、

and white.

和白色。

The dominance of the orange carrot is a relatively recent phenomenon, often attributed to Dutch

橙色胡蘿蔔的主導地位是一個相對較新的現象，通常歸因於荷蘭

horticulturists.

園藝家。

They supposedly cultivated this variant as a tribute to William of Orange,a key leader

據稱，他們培育這種變體是為了向奧蘭治的威廉致敬，威廉是

in the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, and seen as the founding father of the nation.

荷蘭反抗西班牙統治的起義的關鍵領導人，被視為荷蘭的國父。

although the validity of this tale is debated.

儘管這個故事的真實性存在爭議。

John Stolarczyk, curator of the World Carrot Museum, asserts that while the orange carrot's

世界胡蘿蔔博物館館長約翰·斯托拉齊克 (John Stolarczyk) 聲稱，雖然橙色胡蘿蔔的

development coincides with this historical period, there's no proof linking its cultivation

發展與這段歷史時期相吻合，但沒有證據表明其種植

to the royal tribute.

與皇家有關。

Instead, its prevalence can be attributed to agricultural reasons.

相反，其流行可歸因於農業原因。

Orange carrots thrived exceptionally well in the Dutch climate, outperforming their

橙色胡蘿蔔在荷蘭的氣候下生長得特別好，優於

purple and yellow counterparts.

紫色和黃色的胡蘿蔔。

They offered more yield, and were more stable, uniform, and reliable, making them a preferred

它們提供更高的產量，並且更穩定、均勻和可靠，使它們成為

choice for farmers.

農民的首選。

The Dutch, being major agricultural influencers in 16th-century Europe, propagated these carrots

荷蘭人是 16 世紀歐洲農業的主要影響者，

in large quantities.

大量種植這些胡蘿蔔。

Their efficiency in cultivating this variant led to its spread and eventual popularity

他們培育這種變種的效率導致其

across Europe.

在歐洲傳播並最終流行。

While the association between orange carrots and the Dutch royal family makes for a compelling

雖然橙色胡蘿蔔與荷蘭王室之間的聯繫令人信服

narrative, it's the practical agricultural benefits of the orange variety that truly

，但真正推動其廣泛接受的是橙色品種的實際農業效益

drove its widespread acceptance.

。

The Health Benefits of Carrots

胡蘿蔔的健康益處

Beyond their culinary appeal, carrots are nutritional powerhouses.

除了烹飪吸引力之外，胡蘿蔔也是營養豐富的來源。

They are especially renowned for their high vitamin A content, which is crucial for maintaining

它們因其高維生素 A 含量而聞名，這對於維持

good eye health.

良好的眼睛健康至關重要。

The body converts the beta-carotene found in carrots into vitamin A. Moreover, carrots

人體會將胡蘿蔔中的 β-胡蘿蔔素轉化為維生素 A。此外，胡蘿蔔

are rich in other antioxidants like Lutein, which combats degenerative eye conditions.

還富含其他抗氧化劑，例如葉黃素，可對抗退化性眼部疾病。

Carrots also offer other vitamins such as K and B6, fiber, and have been linked to numerous

胡蘿蔔還提供其他維生素，如維生素 K 和 B6、纖維，並具有許多

health benefits, including promoting healthy skin, aiding digestion, and even combating

健康益處，包括促進皮膚健康、幫助消化，甚至對抗

tooth decay.

蛀牙。 有趣的是，

Interestingly, different colors of carrots might have slightly different nutritional

根據 2023 年《植物》雜誌發表的一篇文章，

values, according to an article published in "Plants" in 2023:

不同顏色的胡蘿蔔的營養價值可能略有不同 ：

Purple or black carrots are rich in anthocyanins, providing antioxidant properties and potentially

紫色或黑色胡蘿蔔富含花青素，具有抗氧化特性，並可能

playing a role in heart health and anti-inflammatory responses.

在心臟健康和抗發炎反應中發揮作用。

Orange carrots are notably high in β-carotene and α-carotene, which are vital provitamin

橙色胡蘿蔔的 β-胡蘿蔔素和 α-胡蘿蔔素含量特別高，它們是重要的維生素

A carotenoids essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.

原A 類胡蘿蔔素，對視力、免疫功能和皮膚健康至關重要。

The red carrots bring a wealth of lycopene, known for its potential to reduce the risk

紅胡蘿蔔含有豐富的番茄紅素，因其具有降低

of certain cancers and promote heart health.

某些癌症風險和促進心臟健康的潛力而聞名。

Yellow carrots predominantly accumulate xanthophylls, particularly lutein, which is associated with

黃胡蘿蔔主要富含葉黃素類，尤其是葉黃素，葉黃素與眼睛健康有關

eye health and may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

，可以降低老年黃斑部病變的風險。

Lastly, white carrots have substantially lower pigment levels, providing less of the mentioned

最後，白胡蘿蔔的色素含量顯著降低，提供的上述植物營養素較少

phytonutrients, but still offering fiber and other beneficial compounds.

，但仍提供纖維和其他有益化合物。

Given the many nutritional benefits of carrots, it is important to find ways to encourage

鑑於胡蘿蔔具有許多營養價值，找到鼓勵

children to eat more of these healthy vegetables.

兒童多吃這些健康蔬菜的方法非常重要。

so How do you encourage children to eat more

那麼該如何鼓勵孩子多吃

carrots?

胡蘿蔔呢？

According to a study published in "Food Quality and Preference", there's a simple trick

根據發表在《食品品質和偏好》上的一項研究，有一個簡單的技巧

to get kids to eat more carrots: just serve them whole instead of dice!

可以讓孩子們多吃胡蘿蔔：直接吃整個胡蘿蔔，而不是切成丁！

When 60 children were given whole carrots to snack on while watching a movie, they ate

當 60 名兒童在看電影時吃整顆胡蘿蔔時，他們吃的量

significantly more than when they were given the same amount of diced carrots.

明顯多於等量的胡蘿蔔丁。

On average, kids munched on 39g of whole carrots in the first 10 minutes compared to 26 g of

平均而言，孩子們在前 10 分鐘內咀嚼了 39 克整顆胡蘿蔔，而切片

diced ones.

胡蘿蔔則為 26 克。

Even after 90 minutes, they still ate more whole carrots.

即使 90 分鐘後，他們仍然吃了更多的整根胡蘿蔔。

So, in short, serving carrots whole instead of chopped up can be a clever way to encourage

因此，簡而言之，提供整個胡蘿蔔而不是切碎的胡蘿蔔是鼓勵

children to eat more of them, making our little ones' snack times not only fun but also

孩子多吃胡蘿蔔的聰明方法，讓我們孩子的零食時間不僅有趣而且

healthy!

健康！

Just to make sure to prevent any choking hazard by maybe keeping a watchful eye on them as

只是為了確保防止任何窒息危險，可以在他們進食時密切注意他們

they eat and teaching them to take small bites and chew thoroughly.

，並教他們小口咬並徹底咀嚼。

Also, don't lie to them that eating carrots gives them the ability to see in the dark,

另外，不要對他們撒謊說吃胡蘿蔔可以讓他們在黑暗中看到東西，

because it's not real.

因為這不是真的。

So Does eating carrots actually enhance your

那麼吃胡蘿蔔真的能增強你

ability to see in the dark?

在黑暗中的視力嗎？

According to an article published in Smithsonian Magazine written by K. Annabelle Smith, the

根據 K. Annabelle Smith 在《史密森尼雜誌》上發表的一篇文章，人們

widely believed notion that eating carrots enhances night vision is largely a myth popularized

普遍認為吃胡蘿蔔可以增強夜視能力的觀點在很大程度上是一個廣為流傳的神話。

by a British World War II propaganda campaign.

英國二戰時期的宣傳活動。

Although carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for eye health, and a study from

儘管胡蘿蔔富含對眼睛健康至關重要的維生素 A，而且

Johns Hopkins in 1998 indicated that vitamin A supplements could reverse poor vision in

約翰霍普金斯大學 1998 年的一項研究表明，維生素 A 補充劑可以逆轉維生素 A

those with a deficiency, the vegetable's abilities have been notably exaggerated.

缺乏症患者的視力不良，但這種蔬菜的功效被明顯誇大了。

During WWII, the British government spread the belief that carrots could help people

在第二次世界大戰期間，英國政府傳播了一種信念，即胡蘿蔔可以幫助人們

see in the dark as a misdirection tactic.

在黑暗中看到東西，這是一種誤導策略。

The Royal Air Force (RAF) had developed a new radar technology, the Airborne Interception

英國皇家空軍 (RAF) 開發了一種新的雷達技術，即機載攔截

Radar (AI), which allowed them to locate enemy bombers before they reached the English Channel.

雷達 (AI)，使他們能夠在敵方轟炸機到達英吉利海峽之前對其進行定位。

To keep this technology secret and perhaps mislead German forces, the Ministry of Information

為了保守這項技術的秘密，並誤導德國軍隊，資訊部

promulgated the idea that RAF pilots, like John Cunningham who was known for his exceptional

公佈了這樣的想法：英國皇家空軍飛行員，例如以卓越的

night-flying abilities, were consuming large amounts of carrots to enhance their night

夜間飛行能力而聞名的約翰·坎寧安，正在食用大量的胡蘿蔔來增強他們的夜視

vision.

能力。

This idea was so widely publicized that not only did it infiltrate public belief during

這個想法被廣泛傳播，不僅在

the wartime period, but it also lingered long afterward, developing into the common belief

戰時滲透到公眾的信仰中，而且在戰後很長一段時間內一直存在，發展成為一種普遍的信念

that carrots are a sort of superfood for eyesight.

，即胡蘿蔔是一種超級視力食品。

While it's true that a lack of Vitamin A (which carrots are rich in) can lead to impaired

雖然缺乏維生素 A（胡蘿蔔富含維生素 A）確實會導致

night vision, the narrative that excess consumption could provide almost superhuman abilities

夜視能力受損，但過量食用可以提供近乎超人的夜視能力的說法

to see in the dark was a clever exaggeration utilized for strategic misdirection during

卻是一種戰爭時巧妙的誇張

the war.

說法

During this time, with resources like sugar and other food items becoming scarce due to

用於戰略誤導 。 在此期間，由於

German blockades, the British government encouraged citizens to be self-sustaining and to consume

德國的封鎖，糖和其他食物等資源變得稀缺，英國政府鼓勵公民自給自足，並消費

surplus vegetables like carrots.

胡蘿蔔等剩餘蔬菜。

Campaigns and characters like "Dr. Carrot" and "Potato Pete" were introduced, advocating

推出了“胡蘿蔔博士”和“土豆皮特”等活動和人物，提倡

for the consumption of these vegetables and spreading alternative recipes utilizing them

食用這些蔬菜，並傳播在各種菜餚中

as sugar substitutes in a variety of dishes.

使用它們作為糖替代品的替代食譜。

Although this myth of carrots improving night vision is still widely believed today, it

儘管胡蘿蔔改善夜視能力的神話至今仍被廣泛相信，但

is essential to recognize its origin as a tool of wartime propaganda and not as a scientific

必須認識到它的起源是戰時宣傳工具，而不是科學

fact.

事實。

While carrots do play a role in maintaining eye health due to their Vitamin A content,

雖然胡蘿蔔由於含有維生素 A，確實在維護眼睛健康方面發揮作用，但

their supposed night-vision superpowers were an exaggeration meant to protect a military

它們所謂的「夜視超能力」是為了保護軍事

secret.

機密而誇大其詞。

Do conventional or organic growth methods affect carrot quality?

傳統或有機生長方法會影響胡蘿蔔品質嗎？

Well, if you're an organic enthusiast, you're probably willing to pay more for carrots that

好吧，如果您是有機愛好者，您可能願意花更多錢購買

have been grown organically.

有機種植的胡蘿蔔。

But for the rest of us, The scientists have good news for you: all carrots, regardless

但對我們其他人來說，科學家們為你們帶來了好消息：所有的胡蘿蔔，無論

of how they were grown, are pretty much the same.

它們是如何種植的，幾乎都是一樣的。

In a 2016 study published in "Food Chemistry," researchers used specific methods and chemicals

在 2016 年《食品化學》上發表的一項研究中，研究人員使用特定的方法和化學物質

to take a close look at carrots grown in three different ways: conventionally, organically,

來仔細研究以三種不同方式種植的胡蘿蔔：傳統方式、有機方式

and by individual growers (self-grown).

和個別種植者（自種）方式。

They paid attention to various elements like sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg),

他們關注鈉 (Na)、鉀 (K)、鎂 (Mg)

and calcium (Ca), and even toxic metals like arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg), to name just

和鈣 (Ca) 等各種元素，甚至砷 (As) 和汞 (Hg) 等有毒金屬，僅舉

a few.

幾例。

They also looked at nitrates and the dry matter in the carrots.

他們也研究了胡蘿蔔中的硝酸鹽和乾物質。

To break down the samples for analysis, they used certain chemicals like deionized water,

為了分解樣品進行分析，他們使用了某些化學物質，如去離子水、

HNO3, and H2O2, ensuring that they could closely observe all these different elements and compounds

HNO3 和 H2O2，確保他們能夠密切觀察

in the carrots.

胡蘿蔔中的所有這些不同元素和化合物。

The main take-away?

主要的收穫是什麼？

Even with these detailed analyses, it turns out that all carrots, no matter how they're

即使進行了這些詳細的分析，事實證明，所有胡蘿蔔，無論它們是如何

grown, are quite similar in terms of overall quality.

種植的，在整體品質上都非常相似。

The small differences they noticed in certain elements didn't make a significant impact

當他們將所有組件放在一起考慮時，

when they considered all of the components together.

他們在某些元素中註意到的微小差異並沒有產生重大影響

The findings also revealed no alarming levels of toxic metals in any of the growing methods.

。 研究結果也顯示，任何種植方法中的有毒金屬含量均未達到過高水平。

So, whether you pick conventional, organic, or self-grown carrots, you're probably getting

因此，無論您選擇傳統的、有機的還是自種的胡蘿蔔，您都可能獲得

a safe, nutritious vegetable that's especially high in potassium!

一種安全、營養且鉀含量特別高的蔬菜！

And that's a win for carrot lovers everywhere!

這對世界各地的胡蘿蔔愛好者來說都是一場勝利！

But the caveat is that this research used carrots from the Czech market in 2012–2013,

但要注意的是，這項研究使用的是 2012 年至 2013 年捷克市場的胡蘿蔔，

so it might or might not be able to generalize to carrots grown in other regions.

因此它可能或可能無法推廣到其他地區種植的胡蘿蔔。

OK, Let's talk about some FAQs about carrots:

好啦，我們來談談關於胡蘿蔔的一些常見問題：

Are baby carrots a type of carrot?

迷你胡蘿蔔是胡蘿蔔的一種嗎？

Is it a different species from regular carrots?

它與普通胡蘿蔔是不同的品種嗎？

Baby carrots are not a separate species from regular carrots; they come from the same species,

迷你胡蘿蔔與普通胡蘿蔔並不是不同的物種。它們來自同一個物種，

Daucus carota.

胡蘿蔔（Daucus carota）。

The baby carrots you commonly find in stores are often "baby-cut" carrots, created by cutting

您在商店中常見的迷你胡蘿蔔通常是“嬰兒切”胡蘿蔔，是將

and shaping larger carrots into smaller, snack-sized pieces.

較大的胡蘿蔔切成較小的零食大小的塊。

This process was invented to reduce waste and make carrots more appealing as a ready-to-eat

發明這個過程是為了減少浪費並使胡蘿蔔作為即食零食更具吸引力

snack.

。

There are also true baby carrots, which are harvested while they are still young and tender,

還有真正的迷你胡蘿蔔，它們是在它們還年輕、嫩的時候收穫的，

before reaching their full size.

然後才長成完整的尺寸。

These true baby carrots are less common in the mass market compared to baby-cut carrots.

與切碎的胡蘿蔔相比，這些真正的迷你胡蘿蔔在大眾市場上不太常見。

Regardless of the type, both baby-cut and true baby carrots offer similar nutritional

無論哪種類型，切碎的小胡蘿蔔和真正的迷你胡蘿蔔都提供

benefits to regular-sized carrots, including being rich in beta-carotene, fiber, and other

與普通大小的胡蘿蔔相似的營養益處，包括富含 β-胡蘿蔔素、纖維以及其他

vitamins and minerals.

維生素和礦物質。

The primary differences lie in their size, shape, and sometimes texture, rather than

主要差異在於它們的大小、形狀，有時還在於質地，而不是

their nutritional content or species.

它們的營養成分或種類。

How many baby carrots equal one carrot?

一根紅蘿蔔相當於多少個迷你紅蘿蔔？

The number of baby carrots that equal one regular-sized carrot varies, but on average,

相當於 1 個普通大小胡蘿蔔的迷你胡蘿蔔數量各不相同，但平均而言，