Foods that are Pink – Have you ever felt that you could determine the flavor of an item by its color alone? Eye-catching meals have a way of enticing us to revel in their delicate flavors, particularly those with vibrant hues.
In this article, which is part of our series on the colors of foods, we discuss the pink fruits, vegetables, meats, and sauces that are not only your girly favorite hue but also provide your body with a variety of health advantages!
Some meals are naturally pink, but with a little imagination and adaptation, you may create a variety of delicious pink sweets.
For instance, Fearless Dining’s site features a delectable recipe for Gluten-Free Pink Lemonade Cupcakes that embody everything we like about the color pink!
The addition of pink champagne to Fantabulosity’s recipe for Pink Champaign Cupcakes is an additional entertaining example of how we may use the color pink into our favorite treats.
What Causes Pink Foods?
Anthocyanins and betalains are the pigments responsible for the pink hue of our pink meals. Despite the fact that these two pigments may impart the same pink hue to dishes, they are entirely unrelated and, surprisingly, are never found in the same plant!
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are a form of flavenoid, which are diversely-functioning chemicals in plants. They can make the plant appear less desirable to herbivores that may attempt to eat its leaves, while attracting pollinators to its flowers and seed dispersers to its fruit. Remember, the next time you are tempted to consume a luscious pink fruit, that you are falling to the plant’s deception!
These pigments are antioxidants and trap free radicals, so protecting our systems from excessive inflammation and the development of cancer when we consume them. Additionally, they have antibacterial characteristics.
Anthocyanins can vary in hue from blue to purple to pink to red. Additionally, they are a natural pH indicator, which is a fascinating trait connected to their hue. When pigments are placed in an acidic environment, they grow more red, whereas in an alkaline environment they become more blue and even green or yellow.
Betalains
Betalains give non-anthocyanin-containing plants a red or pink hue. Beets, Swiss chard, and cactus all contain them. Because of the betalains they contain, several cacti that are often kept as houseplants feature strikingly pink blossoms. Some individuals are unable to adequately metabolize certain betalains, resulting in the production of crimson urine or stools when they ingest foods containing these substances.
List of 30 Pink Foods
Beets
This vegetable is rich in vitamins and minerals. Its dark pink hue is a result of betacyanin, an antioxidant that combats common carcinogens. Beets are known by several names around the world, including table beet, garden beet, red beet, dinner beet, golden beet, and beetroot in British English. Beet greens are a very nutritious addition to your diet, not only the root.
Pink Cripps Apple
This apple type boasts a firm, crisp white flesh and a blush pink skin. In addition to the Pink Lady trademark, they are also known as the Queen of Apples. This apple variety has a wonderful blend of sweet and tart flavors and is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. In your menu.
Dragon fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as Pitaya, is the fruit of a cactus tree native to Southeast Asia, Central America, and South America. The fruit is huge and spherical, with thick, pinkish-green leathery skin. The flesh has a rich pink hue and small black seeds. It has a moderate, sweet flavor and is widely used to provide vibrant color to beverages. Rich in lycopene, vitamin C, and anti-carcinogenic antioxidants, dragon fruit protects the body against cancer-causing agents.
Guava
This tropical fruit is related to watermelon and boasts pink, luscious flesh and a sweet, tangy flavor. It is rich in vitamins and fiber, and has four times more vitamin C than oranges. Additionally, guava has significant quantities of lycopene. Due to its high fiber content and low glycemic index, it is thought to minimize the risk of diabetes since it helps manage blood sugar.
Grapefruit juice
Pink grapefruit juice belongs on any list of healthful foods. Not only is it low in calories and refreshing, but it also includes vital vitamins and minerals. Due to its high fiber content, it can help stave off hunger and is a popular food in regimens for weight loss. Regular consumption of grapefruit and grapefruit juice can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, so helping to protect the heart.
Ham
Ham is an essential protein, especially for sandwiches. It is known to provide a significant amount of protein and iron, and lean cuts contain a negligible amount of saturated fat. Ham is created by wet or dry curing pork with or without smoking. Different types of ham, including regional delicacies such as Westphalian ham and Spanish jamón, are produced all over the world.
Hidden Rose Apple
This uncommon apple variety is renowned for its flavor, which has notes of strawberry lemonade. Its skin is pale yellow with a subtle reddish flush and white freckles, and its pink meat is crisp and delicious. The fruit is challenging to cultivate and requires a climate with chilly nights and warm, bright days. This rare fruit’s parent tree was cultivated in Oregon.
Scottish Highland Burgundy Red Potato
This unique potato has pink, red, and white marbling in its flesh because to the presence of anthocyanin, which gives it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. It also contains a significant quantity of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. When cooked, the potato becomes fluffy and lends itself to chips, fries, and mashed potato. This cultivar is believed to have originated in the Scottish Highlands, as the first record dates back to 1936 in the United Kingdom.
Himalayan Salt
Pakistani mountains are the source of the pink-colored Himalayan Salt. It may be substituted for conventional table salt and is frequently used as a culinary ingredient and garnish due to its appealing pink tint. Himalayan salt includes trace minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, and sulfate in addition to sodium chloride. These compounds are responsible for the salt’s distinctive hue.
Lilly Pill Berries
These little berries are indigenous to Southeast Asia and Australia. They grow in groups on trees and have firm, lustrous, pink or purplish-red skin. These fruits have a somewhat sour flavor, and although they are not especially appetizing when eaten fresh, they can be combined with other ingredients or cooked into chutney.
Aborigines of Australia referred to these fruits as “medicine berries” because to their capacity to boost immunity against colds and flu. It is now recognized that these medicinal characteristics derive from the high concentrations of vitamin C, antioxidants, anthocyanins, and folate, which all contribute to maintaining the health of our bodies.
Lychee
The meat of lychees is white, whereas their skin is pinkish-red. The origin of this little tropical fruit is China and Southeast Asia. The fruit has a distinctive floral flavor that is both pleasant and suitable for a variety of sweets, such as fruit salad, ice cream, juices, and jellies. Lychees are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Mountain Apple
Mountain apples, also known as Malay apples, Java apples, and pommerac, are an Australian, Indonesian, and Malaysian native tree fruit. The bell-shaped fruit ranges in color from bright green to pink to dark maroon, with darker fruits often having a sweeter flavor than lighter ones. Mountain apples have a pleasant, mellow flavor and are lower in calories than normal apples. Additionally, it is an excellent source of vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants.
The Octopus
Tentacles of tender pink octopus are a typical Mediterranean dish. Octopus is a rich source of protein, potassium, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and calcium, all of which help lower the risk of stroke and enhance heart health. Octopus is a healthy option for weight control due to its naturally high protein content and low fat content.
Decorative Cabbage with Kale
The species Brassica oleracea also comprises edible cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower. Several decorative cultivars, including the Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo series, feature pink or purple leaves.
These rare and beautiful cabbages are edible, although they have a harsh flavor compared to more typical types. They are frequently used as a garnish or as a source of color in salads. They are also beautiful complements to a veggie garden!
Pink Banana Squash
Banana squash may grow up to 48 inches long and weigh up to 70 pounds! It is cylindrical with a small bend, and its thick rind is available in a range of hues, including salmon pink, blue, yellow, and variegated patterns. The orange flesh of the squash is rich in vitamins and minerals like as A, B, C, calcium, iron, and fiber.
Pink Oyster Mushroom
The Pink Oyster, sometimes known as Pink Flamingo, is a mushroom species with a distinctive look. As a result of their romantic appeal, they have been nicknamed “love mushrooms.” Unfortunately, cooking causes the mushroom to lose its pinkish colour. It is an excellent alternative for vegetarians seeking to add a meaty, somewhat chewy texture to their dishes.
Pearl Pink Apples
In the 1940s, Pink Pearl apples were cultivated in California. The exterior has a creamy yellow to green hue, while the flesh is a delectable bright pink tint. The apple is incredibly fragrant and has an almost raspberry-like flavor with a balanced sweet and sour taste. Pink pearls are a nutritious alternative for a snack since they are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain vitamins A and C.
Peppercorns Pink
Pink peppercorns are not simply a pink variant of black pepper; they come from an entirely distinct plant. These “peppercorns,” which are technically the dried berries of the Baie Rose plant, have a moderate peppery flavor and resemble typical peppercorns in size and form.
Pink peppercorns offer a pop of color to salads and sauces, whether they are combined with ordinary pepper or used on their own. Supposedly, they are good in combating colds and flu and easing muscular stiffness. However, they are closely related to cashews, so persons with nut allergies should avoid them.
Pink Radicchio
This rare pink type of radicchio lettuce, grown in Verona, Italy, was voted 2017 Vegetable of the Year by Bon Appetit. It has a crisp, sweet, albeit somewhat bitter flavor and may lend a vibrant hue to your winter salad dish. This radicchio is not just an attractive vegetable; it is also an excellent source of nutrients such as copper, iron, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
Pomegranate
This gorgeous fruit is an ancient Asian native that is currently produced throughout the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, East Indies, Africa, and the United States. The pink-red, jewel-like flesh around the white seed contains a delightful, luscious nectar.
Pomegranates are considered a superfood for the skin and heart because they contain a great amount of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and polyphenols. It has been demonstrated that they impede the progression of numerous forms of cancer. Additionally, each serving provides more than 5 grams of fiber and is a good source of vitamin C.
Radish
There is a pink type of radishes that will offer a cheery splash of color to your raw salad. This little plant, which is indigenous to Europe and Southern Asia, has several health advantages.
Low in calories and rich in Vitamin C, B9, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, they serve a crucial role in maintaining the health of our immune system and brain system. In addition, they can relieve weariness or exhaustion, protect cells from oxidative stress, and aid in the battle against certain malignancies.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a very adaptable vegetable that may be included into pies, cobblers, sweets, and even breads. When cooked, the pink stems produce a fibrous, sour stewed “fruit.” Additionally, the pink tint can provide a lovely tone to your gin and drinks. Due to its high fiber and oxalic acid content, rhubarb is one of the lowest-calorie plants, making it ideal for dieters. It is also a wonderful source of several other nutrients, including potassium, iron, magnesium, iodine, phosphorus, and others.
Rose Petals
It may seem extravagant, but the use of rose petals in cooking stretches back to ancient Rome, Greece, and Persia. King Henry VIII of Tudor England was renowned for eating sugared rose petals for dessert. From jam to chutney to ice cream, the possibilities for cooking with rose petals are limitless, and the simplest method is to simply sprinkle a few petals over a fresh salad.
When it comes to cooking with rose petals, a modest amount is sufficient to impart a distinctive flavor. However, there is one golden rule: never use roses that have been treated with pesticides. Organic or homegrown produce is preferable.
Rosé Wine
Rosé wine is a type of wines that varies in color from a light peach blush to a rich fuchsia hue. It is prepared by exposing the red grape skins to the juice for a brief length of time, often between two and twenty hours, as opposed to removing them immediately as with white wine or leaving them to ferment with the wine as with red wine.
It is said to possess the health advantages of both white and red wine, including a cholesterol-lowering effect and brain protection, as well as less calories than its counterparts.
Salmon
Salmon, whether served raw, smoked, grilled, or pan-fried, is a delectable fish found in recipes from throughout the world, including sushi rolls. Carotenoids are responsible for the salmon’s pink hue, despite its obvious pink hue. These pigments, which are abundant in the tiny fish and shrimp that salmon consume, are responsible for the coloring of their muscles.
It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for the heart and have been associated to a reduction in the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, and some malignancies. Additionally, salmon is rich in protein, selenium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.
Shrimp
Cooked shrimp and prawns are wonderful seafood that become pink or scarlet. They contribute several nutrients, including vitamin A and B12, iodine, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, to human meals. It is extremely low in calories and carbohydrates, making it a perfect choice for those following a ketogenic diet. It may be steamed, breaded, grilled, or fried and served with your chosen condiments.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a green leafy vegetable with a white, red, or even yellow stem! In the summer, the pink-stemmed species is a suitable alternative for spinach since it grows readily and its young leaves are suitable for sandwiches and salads. Swiss chard is a rich source of nutrients and vitamins. This plant can withstand both the heat and the cold, making it more resilient than many salad selections.
Tuna
Depending on the species, the skin color of tuna ranges from pink to dark red and is muscular. The color of the flesh changes as it is cooked, yet it is frequently served raw with sushi in Japan. This fish is a good source of protein and vitamin B12.
Turkish Delight
Turkish delight is a solid favorite when it comes to pink foods, despite the fact that it is not very nutritious. According to its name, the dessert is a typical dish in Turkey, where it is known as Lokum, and is composed of a starch-sugar gel to which flavorings have been added. Rose water is traditionally used to flavor pink Turkish pleasure, but citrus and mint tastes are also popular.