Purple Tomatoes - Close Your Eyes and Eat

tidbits that tantalize

...Take A

Wild Guess.

Jellybeans have them. So do M&M's, Life Savers, Twizzlers and even grandma's homemade cupcakes. In light of the cavalcade of color, researchers at Oregon State University finally asked the obvious question, "Why not tomatoes?"

After six years in development, the scientists expect to see the purple - yes, Purple - tomatoes on store shelves within two years. Derived from a South African species, there is more to these eye-catching vegetables (fruit?) than meets the eye. The purple skin of the tomato, a deep hue similar to an eggplant, contains the same beneficial phytochemical found in the naturally colorful blueberry. The phytochemical is thought to help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Now, if they could just develop a purple double-fudge brownie à la mode...