Not just blushing red. Tomatoes
צילום: ויז'ואל/פוטוס
Israeli farmers develop black tomatoes
Arava Agricultural R&D exhibition to feature various new species of fruits and vegetables, including Black Galaxy tomatoes, red lemons and purple carrots
The next Arava Agricultural R&D exhibition will feature a brand new Israeli development – the black tomato.
The new tomato, which sports the name "Black Galaxy," was developed by Technological Seeds DM. The company says that the color is the produce of a special pigment, which was derived from blueberries and introduced into the new species.
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The pigment is photosensitive and the longer the tomato is left on the vine, the darker it gets.
Yedioth Ahronoth quoted the developers as saying that the unique pigment also carried health benefits, such as a high concentration of antioxidants and Vitamin C, which are known to help boost the immune system and prevent various diseases.
![פלפלים צבעוניים (צילום: באדיבות מו"פ (מחקר ופיתוח) ערבה תיכונה וצפונית)](https://images1.ynet.co.il/PicServer2/13062011/3704404/8_gal.jpg "פלפלים צבעוניים (צילום: באדיבות מו"פ (מחקר ופיתוח) ערבה תיכונה וצפונית)")
(Photo: Arava Agricultural R&D Expo)
The black tomato will make its worldwide debut at the Arava Agricultural R&D Exhibition, in early February. Over 250 companies from Israel and the world over will participate in the expo, which is also open to the public.
Among other new edible creations, the show will feature seedless lemons, a new species of strawberries, red lemons and rainbow carrots – which are yellow, purple and pink; as well as the newest agro-tech developments, such as thermal plant imaging, a crop dusting robot and more.
Getting you hands on a black tomato or a purple carrot might be a little difficult, though; since they are now slated for export only.
Mati Siver contributed to this report
