Wild tomatoes naturally grow in a variety of colors, including yellow, purple, and jet black.

The modern red tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is just one of many species in the Solanum genus. Wild tomatoes found in the Andes Mountains of South America, such as Solanum chilense and Solanum habrochaites, possess diverse genetic traits that produce various pigments. While red tomatoes are high in lycopene, a carotenoid, purple and black varieties contain high levels of anthocyanins.Anthocyanins are the same powerful antioxidants found in blueberries and blackberries. These pigments serve as a natural defense mechanism for the plant, protecting it against ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress. For decades, traditional breeding focused on size and shelf life, which inadvertently reduced the genetic diversity and color range of commercial crops.In the early 2000s, Professor Jim Myers at Oregon State University began a project to cross-breed domestic tomatoes with wild species from Chile and the Galapagos Islands. This research led to the 2012 release of the 'Indigo Rose,' the first improved tomato variety with significant amounts of anthocyanins in the fruit skin. This breakthrough proved that wild genetic resources could enhance both the visual appeal and nutritional value of common vegetables.Today, the 'Indigo' series includes several varieties that appear nearly jet black when exposed to direct sunlight. This dark coloration is a direct result of the anthocyanin expression triggered by light. By tapping into the ancestral gene pool, scientists continue to develop crops that are more resilient to pests and richer in health-promoting compounds.