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Here are today’s five things to know about carrot cake:

Carrots were first cultivated in north Africa & the Mediterranean. They originally were purple or grey in color. Introduced to Europe around 1000 years ago.

The weed/flower Queen Anne’s Lace is actually a wild carrot.

Jello in the 1930’s offered ‘carrot pie’ flavored gelatin.

People first grew carrots as medicine, not food, for a variety of ailments.

Carrots are one of the rare vegetables which are more nutritious cooked than raw.

Today’s Food History

• 1468 RIP Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of moveable type printing. Inspired by the screw presses used in winemaking.

• 1815 The world’s 1st commercial cheese factory was established in Switzerland.

• 1913 The 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It gave Congress the power to levy taxes on income.  In 1913 less than 1% of the population paid income tax at the rate of 1%. Before this taxes were acquired primarily on food, merchandise sales, etc.

• 1916 The Cafe Voltaire opened in Zurich, Switzerland, a meeting place for members of what was to be known as the Dada movement.

• 1959 The day the music died. Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) are killed in a plane crash near Mason City, Iowa.