The Story Behind the Emergence of Black Tomatoes

As time goes by with all the times, farmers continue to develop unique vegetables. They create tomatoes with unusual colors, which are black.

The tomatoes come from the cross breeding by Jim Myres, a professor from the University of Oregon while undergoing studies on the benefits of tomatoes. He took the initiative to create black tomatoes, after a student interested in the health benefits of tomatoes.

Citing the Daily Mail, the plant was grown in a greenhouse. When newly grown, the color is green like a tomato in general. But when the tomatoes are cooked, instead of red, they are blackened. The variety is called "Indigo Rose". Sutton Seeds of Devon is the company that initiated it.

In addition to being physically different, black tomatoes are also considered healthier than red tomatoes. Scientists in the United States say, black tomatoes contain anthocyanins and anti-oxidants that can help fight diabetes and obesity.

"They're not as sweet as normal tomatoes, but they taste more tasty. Good for baking and eating with salad, "said Alfie Jackson, assistant product manager of Sutton Seeds.

Before Indigo Rose, there have been some dark tomatoes ever developed. However, this time the tomato is claimed as the only darkest.

Related to this invention Alfie explained, Jim and his team found a tomato with purple pigmentation thanks to anthocyanin content. The same content is found in blueberries.

"They then crossed the purple tomatoes with some wild tomatoes, until finally created a black color," said Alfie.

In the UK alone, rare vegetables are popular with citizens. As many as 26 percent of homeowners there also started cooking vegetables produced from their own garden.