Waitrose is bucking this season's fashion trend for vibrancy by backing the supremacy of dark colours, with the launch of several black fruit and vegetables.
For starters, there is Cavolo cabbage, a black cabbage grown in East Anglia, which, according to the high-end retailer, can jazz up any dinner plate.
Meanwhile, the Shetland black potato is a small variety with a blue-black skin, which can be baked or roasted.
A spokeswoman for Waitrose said: “This potato is an endangered variety which had almost died out until Waitrose’s intervention, and it’s now proving to be extremely popular with customers.
For dessert, the supermarket is offering black Worcester pears, which are grown specifically for their culinary properties and versatility.
Peter Cooke, vegetable buyer at Waitrose said the new products reflect Waitrose’s commitment to UK farmers and growers, and its ethos of buying British produce in season.
“We have seen a real trend towards heritage varieties that deliver flavour and at the same time reflect our historic culinary traditions,” he said.
“Waitrose firmly believes in sourcing its produce from the right locations where site, soil type and climate produce the best eating quality.”
Cavolo Cabbage will be available in store until January, 2007 priced at £1.19 for 200g; black Shetland potatoes will be available from October until December, priced at £1.89 for 1kg; black Worcester pears will be in stores from November at £1.69 per punnet.
