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A purple potato that growers claim is healthier than the standard variety is going on sale in UK supermarkets.

The Purple Majesty has a distinctive deep colour and contains up to 10 times the level of antioxidant, anthocyanins, compared with white potatoes.

It was developed at Colorado State University from a traditional variety.

Despite its appearance, the potato now being grown by Perthshire producer Albert Bartlett after two years of trials, is not genetically modified.

Potatoes originate from the high reaches of the Andes and come in thousands of varieties, with many having developed deep red and purple colouring.

The trials found that the Purple Majesty could be grown in Scotland.

An initial crop of 400 tonnes of the variety will go on sale in Sainsbury's stores across Scotland and the south-east of England this week, with a larger yield expected next year.

Albert Bartlett, which has its headquarter in Airdrie, has been working with Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and the Scottish Crop Research Institute to determine what health benefits there could be from eating the potato.

Dr Catherine Tsang, who took part in research, said: "Our research specifically looked at Purple Majesty potatoes which, unlike white potatoes, contain a natural pigment called anthocyanins.

"It's this pigment that gives the potato the purple appearance, but more importantly, it possesses antioxidant properties, which are maintained even after cooking."

She added: "We're all aware of the stories about red wine having a more positive effect on the heart than white wine, due to their higher levels of antioxidant.

Dr Tsang said anthocyanins contained antioxidant properties which some studies had suggested could have a positive effect on blood vessels and reducing blood pressure."

However, other studies have found little evidence of the conclusion.

I've never tried them, don't think I've ever seen them.  The color is strange and I think I would expect them to taste different than regular potatoes but from what I've read they don't.  If I see them in my local grocery I might have to buy some.

Think beetroot!

I would try them. 

I am absolutely thinking of beets which taste nothing like potatoes.  So it would be wierd.  But I'd still try them.

Is it sad that the only thing that I think of is what a magnificent color my vodka martini would have ::)

And mashed potatoes, French fries, and hashbrown casserole will never be the same!

I have seen them, they have been around for a while.  They grow that way naturally and are supposed to bepretty good. Never tried them, though

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....purple French fries!  :o

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....purple French fries!  :o



with purple ketchup. 8-P

I can contest they are gorgeous and make lovely purple mash, baked potatoes and fries.  :)

They taste of......potato!

I love sweet potato fries, and they are orange, so why not?

'Tis pretty color, they are!

I wonder what was the fate of those purple potatoes at this age.  ???
I need some extra-antioxidant, for I can't drink more beverage wine than I already swallow.
But unluckily I didn't see at any market this kind of potato.  ::)

I don't know if I'd eat that. And I'm kind of an adventurous eater.


How would the purple potatoes look with brown gravy--which is how I take my mashed spuds.... ???

The only thing purple I've put in my mouth is a grape. LOL.

I don't know if I'd eat that. And I'm kind of an adventurous eater.


The taste is almost indistinguishable from regular potatoes.  Most of the purple goes away during cooking, but the end result is still pretty darn purple.  Doesn't look great with brown gravy.  But tastes pretty awesome if you mash up some garlic, some butter, and just whip 'em up.  (But so do regular potatoes, so there you have it.)

Purple food is rich antioxidants - purple carrots are great!

Purple food is rich antioxidants - purple carrots are great!


purple carrots?  :o