21 Black Vegetables You Can Grow for Taste and Color

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From deep purple Eggplants to chewy Black Corn, these veggies get their color from powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins. Try Black Garlic's sweet umami flavor or decorate with dark-skinned Black Pumpkins. Don't forget the spicy kick of Black Hungarian Peppers or the sharp flavor of Black Spanish Radishes. Find out more black vegetables below.

How many Black Vegetables can you name? Got stuck? We’ve got you covered with these nutrient-rich dark veggies!

Let’s start with what makes Black Vegetables black! They contain anthocyanins that turn them black or dark purple. It is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits.

Check out these vegetables that begin with b here


Black Vegetables

1. Aubergine (Eggplant)

Black Vegetables 1

Botanical Name: Solanum melongena

Eggplants are one of the most common black vegetables – they have a deep purple color, which makes them appear almost black. It is quite popular and relished as baba ghanoush or ratatouille.

How to Grow an Eggplant in a Pot | Aubergine Care

2. Black Corn

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Botanical Name: Zea mays

Black corn is just like regular corn but dark in color. But it’s not as sweet. It has slender cobs and a chewy texture. You should try the ‘Dakota Black Corn’ variety.

3. Black Garlic

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Botanical Name: Allium sativum L.

You can get black garlic by placing a regular one in a warm and moist environment for a few weeks. It has a rich, sweet, and umami-like flavor.

18 Best Types of Garlic to Grow in Garden

4. Black Pumpkins

Botanical Name: Cucurbita winter squash

They have dark green skin and a slightly sweet and nutty taste – just like other pumpkins. But their attractive color makes them popular decorations!

11 Best Types of Green Pumpkin Varieties

5. Black Salsify

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Botanical Name: Scorzonera hispanica

The dark-brown coloration of black salsify gives it the name. It is a root vegetable with a mild, sweet taste that will remind you of oysters.

6. Shetland Black Potato

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Botanical Name: Solanum tuberosum

Shetland potatoes stand out with their dark black skin – making them lovely black vegetable varieties. They’re sweet in taste as well.

Flowers on Potato | What to Do with Potato Flowers

7. Black Nebula Carrots

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Botanical Name: Daucus carota ‘Black Nebula’

Black Nebula carrots are actually a deep purple and retain their hues even after juicing. They’re sweet but also have a hint of spice.

7 Delicious Purple Carrot Varieties

8. Black Beauty Tomatoes

Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum ‘Black Beauty’

These tomatoes are black and full of antioxidants. You should definitely experience their taste at least once – it’s rich and earthy with a hint of blueberry notes.

27 Most Delicious Tomatoes for Sauce

9. Black Magic Kale

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Botanical Name: Brassica oleracea ‘Lacinato’

The deep blue-green leaves often appear black. It’s full of all things good and a healthy choice for meals. You’ll find it as Dinosaur Kale too.

11 Best Types of Kale | Best Kale Varieties

10. Purple Teepee Beans

Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris ‘Purple Teepee’

Purple Teepee beans are bush beans with dark purple, nearly black pods. If you’re growing these, remember – they’re best harvested when young for flavor and tenderness.

11. Tiny Coban Tomatillo

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Botanical Name: Physalis philadelphica ‘Tiny Coban’

The Tiny Coban Tomatillo has a deep purple-black coloration and is cherished for its high yield. You must add it to your garden for variety and color!

Find out the vegetables you can grow in water here

12. Black Hungarian Peppers

Botanical Name: Capsicum annuum ‘Black Hungarian’

Black Hungarian Peppers pack moderate heat and a delicious flavor. If you like food spicy but not your palate burning – add them to your meals.

Growing Hot Peppers In Containers | How To Grow Chili Peppers In Pots

13. Black Spanish Radish

Botanical Name: Raphanus sativus

Originating in the 16th century, these radishes have spicy white flesh that’s covered with black skin. They are perfect for cold storage and adding a sharp, spicy flavor to dishes.

42 Types of Radish Varieties for Containers and Gardens

14. Black Futsu Pumpkin

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Botanical Name: Cucurbita maxima ‘Thai Kang Kob’

These pumpkins start as a deep teal-black hue but turn chestnut brown-black in storage. They’re famous for their bright orange flesh perfect for baking or curries.

22 Best Blue Pumpkin Varieties + Blue Pumpkin Meaning

15. Amaranth

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Botanical Name: Amaranthus quitensis

You can’t leave Amaranth out of black vegetables. It’s dark burgundy-black leaves and edible seeds are full of nutrients and used in many recipes.

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16. Black Basil

Botanical Name: Ocimum basilicum ‘Dark Opal’

The Dark Opal basil variety has deep burgundy-black leaves that are a nice choice for garden decoration. But they’re mild in taste and not much use in cuisine.

7 Best Flowering Basil Plants | What to Do With Basil Flowers

17. Black Yam

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Botanical Name: Dioscorea alata

Black yams are starchy root vegetables native to Southeast Asia. They have dark brown-black outer skin and white, purple, or blue on the inside.

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18. Black Trumpet Mushroom

Botanical Name: Craterellus cornucopioides

Black trumpet mushrooms have black funnel-like caps and a rich, earthy flavor. If you want black vegetables you can easily cook, these mushrooms are your best bet.

23 Mushrooms that Look Like Flowers

19. Black Zucchini

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Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo ‘Black Beauty’

Black zucchinis are not pure black but a mix of dark green and black. You must have tried green ones. Well, they’re similar in flavor and texture to them.

How Far To Space Zucchini Plants | Zucchini Plant Spacing

20. Black Asparagus

Botanical Name: Asparagus officinalis

This asparagus has a rich, dark purple color that appears almost black. It is a bit sweeter and nuttier than the regular green ones.

Asparagus Growth Stages | How to Grow Asparagus in Home Garden

21. Black Truffle

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Botanical Name: Tuber melanosporum

We’ve saved the best for last. Black truffle is a highly prized black vegetable that is found on the roots of certain trees. It is highly popular in French and Italian gourmet, too.

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Why You Must Grow Black Vegetables?

  • The dark hues of these vegetables add a nice contrast to the common greens and other colors in your garden.
  • Growing black vegetables is great for dietary diversity, and consuming them works wonders for maintaining balanced nutrition.

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