At the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in London, an unusual orchestra took the stage—none other than a vegetable orchestra. All the instruments, 100%, were made from edible vegetables and fruits like pumpkins and carrots.

Patrick Johnson / Member of the Vegetable Orchestra:

“When people hear us play for the first time, they break into a big smile. The first thing they always ask is, ‘Are those real vegetables?’”

To achieve the best sound quality, members carve fresh vegetables into instruments on the day of the performance. After the show, the leftover veggies are turned into soup or compost, reflecting the group’s commitment to sustainability. In April, King Charles III made headlines when he was handed a carrot recorder and gave an impromptu performance.

Patrick Johnson / Member of the Vegetable Orchestra:

“When we gave King Charles a carrot recorder, he joked, ‘Don’t ask me to play it.’ But when a member asked, ‘Would you like to try?’ he gladly played it.”

The quirky sounds of these vegetable instruments continue to earn enthusiastic applause from audiences, who are amazed by the creativity on display.

(KBS News, July 30, 2025)