Researchers at Oregon State University are fine-tuning a purple tomato that doesn't just look cool, but could also be better for you. The skin, which is as dark as an eggplant, contains the same phytochemical found in blueberries, which is thought to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
Not the product of science, the purple tomato traces its roots to a wild species found in South America. The purple hybrid, which has been six years in the making, could find its way to salad plates in two years.
Jim Myers, the Oregon State professor overseeing the project, does not see the fruit of his labor changing the world. It could however entice gardeners and commercial growers to try something a little off color.