Black Tomatoes

 

Now a nursery has grown the first crop in Britain to turn out jet black.

Not only is the colour unusual, the fruit is among the first to contain anthocyanins, an antioxidant thought to help ward off cancer and diabetes.

The tomatoes were grown by Ray Brown, 66, of Newton Abbot, Devon, who was sent seeds labelled “black tomato” by a customer.

He said: “We couldn’t believe they were real so we sowed them to see. We thought it was an April 1 hoax. But when they grew, we were staggered.”

"We thought it was an April 1 hoax. But when they grew, we were staggered"

Ray Brown

The tomatoes are thought to have been developed at Oregon State University. Cut them open and they’re red on the inside

Mr Brown, of Plant World Seeds, said: “They have a lovely flavour. The only way to describe it is good, strong and... tomatoey.”