Sainsbury's introduce purple carrot

Sainsbury's has introduced purple carrots into its range of vegetables.

Around 60 tons of the purple variety, known as Betasweet and originally from Texas, are being grown in Cambridgeshire, UK.

Carrots used to be purple or pale-coloured in ancient times. It was only when a group of patriotic Dutch breeders used a mutant seed in the 16th century that the orange variety began its rise to prominence.

The purple carrots will be distributed to 150 UK Sainsbury stores following a successful trial last year, says the Daily Telegraph.

Russell Crowe, Sainsbury's carrot buyer, said: "As well as being a talking point at dinner parties, we are hoping the unusual colour will encourage children to tuck in to more vegetables."

Joining the carrots will be firecracker choica - a deep burgundy potato-type crop from Peru - and colrabi, a green root vegetable that will be available in purple.