Purple tomatoes?
Grown originally in South American, it has taken six years for the tomato to be tweaked, grown, developed and modified.
In an effort not to remove the important tomato antioxidant lycopene from the fruit, the base of it remains red. However, the rest is a dark purple colour, which contains the same phytochemical found in blueberries – apparently great to help fight cancer and heart disease.
So, after six years, they’ll have the first ‘true’ purple variety, although they say they need another two years to stabilise its characteristics and make sure it won't misbehave in the field.
But, just as you think it’s safe to go into the market, a US firm has been beavering away on the same project, and could have their purple variety ready in two years too. Sakata Seed America hope to pip (excuse the pun) their rivals to the post.
Although wild purple tomatoes have been around for years, edible hybrids have only been developed since the 1960s. Crossing this with a Sungold Cherry tomato variety will improve its flavour, but it won’t be in our shops for a while yet.
Watch out for purple ketchup in a café near you soon.
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