Why Are Breeders So Fixated On White Produce When Darker Colors Are Healthier In General

Question From: D. YOUNG - MICHIGAN
Q: I enjoyed your Homestyle article about purple carrots (01-15-21) and healthy fruits & vegetables with anthocyanins. I've read a lot about the healthy superfoods, as a home gardener and cancer survivor. We're constantly told to "eat the rainbow" and that dark greens, cruciferous vegetables and the deepest colored fruits and veg are the most beneficial. Can you tell me why breeders are so fixated on producing new produce that are white? Why eat a white-fleshed peach or apricot, or white sweetcorn, or white-fleshed sweet potatoes when the phytochemicals in brightly colored ones are so good for us? Meanwhile, cauliflower is being bred in neon yellow, and purple and my new Burpees catalog has new varieties of purple green beans and potatoes, a burgundy broccoli hybrid and even purple pods on peas (the peas are still green). I guess purple pods would make them easier to pick among the green leaves.

A: Dianne, I don't have a good answer for you. Doesn't make sense to me. But growing your own does make sense to me. Start today by growing sprouts. In 4 to 5 days you've got a great start of a great meal that's truly good for you. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.