We are crazy about purple foods. They are fun, unique, and add such vibrant color to our plate!
We went searching for all the purple foods in the world and came up with quite a few. Do you think you can guess them all?
Blackberries
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Our Purple Foods List
With so many awesome purple foods in the world, it is hard to choose which one to talk about first! From shades of violet to deep dark purple, you will love these foods’ colors and how healthy and delicious they are. Let’s take a look!
1. Purple Grapes
Purple grapes are botanically considered berries. One vine can produce over 40 grape clusters.
Purple grapes may help increase the levels of nitric acid in the blood. This may help prevent heart attacks and increase overall heart health.
The most common type of purple grapes is concord grapes. They are a large, seeded grape that is often used to make jelly. Concord grapes are definitely one of the most well-known purple fruits on our list!
2. Purple Cabbage
Purple cabbage is also known as red cabbage. It is crunchy and has a little juice when raw but can be cooked into stir-fries or stews, giving the cabbage a very soft, tender texture.
Purple cabbage has lots of health benefits. It is packed with vitamin A, and vitamin C. Red cabbage is a fantastic anti-inflammatory and may help boost your immune system.
3. Purple Potatoes
Purple potatoes are a type of root vegetable that is often called purple majesty potatoes. They are about the size of a golf ball, and they have a nutty, earthy flavor when cooked.
Purple potatoes are high in fiber and vitamin C. They are a healthy alternative to food coloring and can be used to make your favorite foods a pretty purple color!
4. Purple Asparagus
How did asparagus end up on our list of purple foods? Isn’t asparagus green? In fact, it is not!
Purple asparagus is quite amazing and beautiful. It has a higher concentration of rutin, a polyphenol plant pigment that has heart-protective properties.
Purple asparagus does turn green when steamed or cooked, but it can be eaten raw while still pretty and purple.
5. Acai Berries
Acai berries are small, dark purple fruits known for their high concentration of antioxidants. They may help control blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and even lower inflammation.
Acai has a wonderful fruity but chocolatey taste. They are great for smoothies, yogurt bowls, or to add to a salad. It is a perfect purple fruit!
6. Purple Star Apple
The purple star apple turns purple as it ripens. It is sweet and milky with a slight crunch. When cut in half, there is a beautiful star pattern in the center of the fruit.
Purple star apples have many medicinal uses. The purple star apple is definitely one of our favorite purple fruits!
7. Purple Sweet Potato
Purple sweet potatoes are full of vitamins and minerals. They have vitamin A, B vitamins, and potassium.
The purple sweet potato has a very sweet but starchy taste. They retain their color as they cook, so you will have a brilliant, purple food on your plate!
You may also find purple sweet potatoes labeled as purple yams. Just know that a purple yam and a purple sweet potato are the same things!
8. Passion Fruit
Passion fruit may just be our favorite purple-skinned fruit. It is a tropical fruit that is sweet and tender.
Passion fruit has lots of piceatannols, an antioxidant with many health benefits. The small fruits are also full of fiber which may help improve gut health.
Since passion fruits have a low glycemic index, they may be safe for those with diabetes to enjoy. They are certainly one of the tastiest and healthiest purple fruits and vegetables.
9. Purple Pole Beans
Purple pole beans are not only delicious, but they are also ornamental. The bright purple bean pod looks beautiful among the green, vining leaves.
Pole bean purple pods are long and meaty. They can be eaten raw or cooked. They are definitely one of our favorite purple foods!
Purple pole beans are a fantastic source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin A. They also contain tryptophan which has been shown to possibly help improve sleep.
10. Purple Kale
Redbor kale is a variety of leafy green that is tinged purple. The unique color and curly texture lead many people to use purple kale in their gardens as decorative plants. However, they are also very nutritious when consumed.
Purple kale has many health benefits and may help fight inflammation.
11. Blackberries
Blackberries are a very well-known purple fruit. They as such a deep purple that they almost look black!
Blackberries are one of the most anthocyanin-rich foods. This is a compound that gives the blackberries their purple color and also has many benefits.
Anthocyanin antioxidants may help protect the body against certain cancers, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. Blackberries are also high in vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and potassium.
12. Black currants
Black currants are a small, deep purple berry. They grow in small, loose clusters and can be used to make jam, syrups, or used for medicinal purposes.
These little purple fruits are full of antioxidants and vitamin C. They may help blood flow, boost the immune system, and might even promote eye health.
Aren’t purple fruits and vegetables amazing! That purple pigment is a sign of possible health benefits.
13. Purple Corn
Purple corn is fairly rare but should definitely be on our list of purple foods since it is just so, well, purple! has
Purple corn has natural chemicals which have been shown to possibly fight obesity, inflammation, diabetes, and even prevent cancer cell growth. The natural purple pigment is also used to make food coloring and can be used to make red dye.
14. Purple Kinsessing Bean
The purple kinsessing bean is a dry bean with a very meaty texture. They are usually used for stews or baking. The purple pod is removed, and the deep brownish-purple beans are eaten.
15. Purple Bamboo Salt
Purple bamboo salt is harvested from oceans in Korea. It is then baked in the sun until the salt turns a rich, purple color.
Bamboo salt is famous for helping improve allergies. It may reduce itchiness and soreness associated with seasonal allergies. It may also help neutralize the excess acid in the body, balancing your ph.
16. Purple Peppers
There are several purple peppers, but they all share one thing- they are a deep purple color! Most purple peppers are sweet, crunchy, and not too spicy.
Chop up some purple bell peppers and add them to a salad. Roast purple peppers in a stir fry or add them to a soup. This is one of the most versatile purple foods!
17. Purple Carrots
Purple carrots are a beautiful, deep purple color thanks to those anthocyanin antioxidants that give many of our purple foods their pretty shades. They also have more polyphenol antioxidants than any other color carrots.
Purple carrots are crunchy and a little bit sweet. Eat them raw or cooked into your favorite soups and stir-fries.
18. Purple Olives
Kalamata olives are a dark purple color. They have a small pit in the center of the olive that is usually removed before eating.
Olives are naturally low in calories and also a powerful antioxidant. They have many heart-healthy fats that make them one of our favorite fruits and vegetables on our purple foods list.
Purple olives are often soaked in red wine brine, making them richer and even more purple.
19. Belgian Endive
When you think of Belgian endive, you may think of the green and white veggie. However, there is a beautiful purple and white version that you must try!
Belgian endive is grown partially underground in dark, cool rooms. This helps keep the pale color and also the mild flavor.
Endive can be slightly bitter when raw, so you may want to try steaming or braising it. This will bring out the sweeter taste of the veggie.
20. Purple Mushrooms
Purple mushrooms are very rare but very beautiful. The purple and blue cap is completely flat when aged.
Purple mushrooms contain many vitamins and elements like zinc, copper, and manganese. They are often used to help prevent fungal disease. They are also used in antibiotics to improve human health.
You may find purple mushrooms also on a blue foods list. The color does range from bright purple to pale blue, depending on the age of the mushroom.
21. Eggplant
The most common types of eggplants are purple, although they do come in many different colors. The peel of the eggplant is actually the healthiest part of the veggie since it contains all the antioxidants.
Try sauteing eggplant or breading and frying it for delicious eggplant parmesan.
22. Purple Cauliflower
Purple cauliflower is a wonderful cruciferous veggie that is just as healthy as it is pretty. It has lots of anthocyanin pigments that give it the purple color and many vitamins and minerals.
Purple cauliflower may have anti-inflammatory properties and may help fight certain cancers. Aren’t healthy purple foods great?
23. Figs
Figs start out green but slowly turn purple as they ripen. They are a very sweet fruit, and they grow quite easily on trees in mild climates.
Figs may promote digestive health and healthy skin. Purple fruits and vegetables really are incredible!
24. Plums
Plums are stone fruit with a thin, purple skin. They are oval or round in shape and have very soft, juicy flesh.
Plums are delicious when eaten fresh but can also be baked into pies or cooked into jam. It can also be dried and turned into prunes!
25. Chokeberries
Chokeberries are deep purple berries that are also called Aronia berries. They are high in antioxidants that may help prevent free radicals in the body.
Chokeberries have a tart, dry taste. They are slightly earthy and can taste like wine. The small berries can be eaten straight off the bush but are usually better when cooked with some sugar.
Incredible Purple Foods
There are so many fascinating purple foods, many of which are quite healthy and nutritious. That purple color does contain some potent anthocyanin pigments than can help you live a healthy life!
Give a few of our purple foods a try and see which you love the best. It is always a good idea to eat the rainbow!
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