Walk into this flower and gift shop near the Anne Frank House and learn about the fascinating history of the tulip from its humble origins along the Silk Road of Central Asia to its current status as a somewhat common, mass-produced flower that is still a cornerstone of the Dutch economy and a symbol of national identity for the people of the Netherlands. Discover how the word tulip was derived from a simple misunderstanding and how the plant was smuggled to Europe from the Turkish sultan’s royal court in 1555. Learn how tulips made their journey to the Netherlands in 1598 where they were cultivated and eventually fetched prices on par with Amsterdam canal houses before the bubble burst ruining many a flower merchant. The evolution of modern tulip farming is also on display. Although the museum isn’t very big and is essentially a small exhibit in a shop cellar, it isn’t expensive and its owner, who also sells bulbs upstairs, is passionate about the tulip and provides a much-needed history of one of the nation’s most profitable commodities.