Nature’s palette is filled with an array of captivating colors, and one of the most pretty hues is pink. From delicate pastel shades to bold, vibrant tones, pink food items offer a sense of beauty and wonder that can transform any meal into a visually stunning experience.
Whether you are planning a pink party, pink baby shower or just want to find out about less well-known pink foods, this post has you covered.
In this post we will share a list of pink foods, some of which you have never even heard of!
What Makes Food Pink?
Many pink-colored fruits and vegetables contain natural pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments are water-soluble compounds that can range in color from red to purple to blue, depending on factors like pH levels and the presence of other compounds. When foods like strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, and radishes contain high amounts of anthocyanins, they can exhibit shades of pink.
‘Betalains’ are another naturally occurring pigment that gives some plants a bright pink color. Betalains are typically found in plants that thrive in hot climates.
List of Pink Food Items
Pink foods aren’t just visually pleasing; they often indicate the presence of health-enhancing compounds like antioxidants and phytochemicals. Incorporating these foods into your diet can be a delicious and give you health benefits. Here’s the list of 77 naturally pink food items.
Pink Fruits
Here are the fruits that are beautiful shades of pink. From for common fruit like watermelon to more exotic fruits like star fruit.
Watermelon
This juicy and refreshing summer fruit’s pink flesh is synonymous with picnics and outdoor gatherings. Rich in vitamin e, potassium, magnesium.
Dragon fruit
The vibrant pink flesh of the dragon fruit not only looks stunning but also offers a refreshing and subtly sweet flavor. It’s mild flavor is often described as a mix of pear and kiwi, with it’s texture similar to a ripe kiwi.
Pink grapefruit
This citrus gem’s blush-pink interior offers a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. A great way to enjoy grapefruit is by drinking grapefruit juice, many women swear by this to fight nausea during pregnancy.
For most grapefruit is too bitter to enjoy on it’s own. To make it more enjoyable top with a sweet syrup such as honey.
Raspberries
With their vibrant color and sweet-tart flavor, raspberries are a versatile addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
Looking for a new way to enjoy raspberries? Try these raspberry brownies.
Pink Lady Apples
These pink apples have a rosy blush pink hue that’s as delightful to look at as it is to bite into.
Tickled Pink Grapes
These rosy-pink blushed grapes have a deliciously sweet flavor, crisp texture and smell like cream soda.
Sweet Pomegranate
Sweet Pomegranates are very sweet with pink almost seedless flesh with vibrant pink flesh.
Sue Cherry
This cherries skin is two-toned. With deep pink sink and cream flesh. Cherries are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and are a good source of fiber.
If you are looking for a new cherry recipe to try, take a look at this chocolate cherry smoothie recipe.
Savagnin Rose Grapes
These grapes are very rare and only grown in Europe. Although it has a pink skin it is considered a white wine grape since it does not have the deep purple/blue/black colour.
Pink starfruit
The flesh of a starfruit is white or pink and contains tiny black seeds. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Pink Guava
With its fragrant aroma and tropical sweetness, pink guava is a delightful fruit to enjoy fresh or as part of a dish.
Pineberries
With a white soft pink color they may look like under ripe strawberries, however pineberries actually taste like pineapple.
Pink Currants
Pink currants are much sweeter than red currants. They can be eaten fresh or are delicious in desserts. They make the most delicious jams and jellies because of their high pectin level.
Pink Cranberries
Pink Cranberries are grown with different levels of exposure to sun and alterations in temperature. Pink cranberries have a more crisp and refreshing taste compared to red cranberries.
Why not try cranberries in homemade cookies? They taste amazing teamed with orange Cranberry Orange Cookies. Cranberry juice is another great way to enjoy cranberries.
Pink Peppercorn
Pink peppercorns are indeed a pink fruit! They are dried rose coloured berries that are similar to black pepper. With a more mild and sweet peppery taste.
Hidden Rose Apples
Hiding inside the pale yellow skin of a hidden rose apple is vibrant pink flesh. This type of apple has a tart, crisp and slightly sweey taste.
Lilly Pilly Berries
Native to Southeast Asia and Australia, these small berries have firm, shiny skin that ranges from pink, red to bright magenta. They are considered a superfood and have a very tart taste.
Lychees
This pink food is native to Southeast Asia. With a sweet and slightly floral taste, this tropical fruit has blush pink flesh and a dark seed hidden inside. Lychees contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, such as potassium, copper, vitamin C, epicatechin, and rutin.
Pink Banana
Pink bananas are certainly very beautiful. They have a soft, creamy texture with a mild, sweet taste with a hint of raspberry or strawberry flavor.
Pink Lemonade Blueberries
Yes pink blueberries! You head that right. They are much sweeter then blue blueberries with a distinct lemon flavor.
Why not try these blueberries in blueberry scones?
Prickly Pears
Prickly pears have thick skin that is similar to the cactus that grows it. It has a bright pink magenta flesh and is rich in vitamin C, calcium, fiber, kaempferol, and various antioxidants.
They are soft, sweet and juicy to eat.
Black Mission Figs
This delicious fruit is known for its dark purple skin, which is often borderline black. It’s interior is a strawberry pink. Black mission figs contain fibre, potassium, and antioxidant content to help control blood pressure, aid digestion, protects your heart, and reduces constipation.
Cara Cara Oranges
This seedless orange has pinkish-to-reddish-orange flesh. It is known for tasting sweeter, slightly tangy, and less acidic than regular oranges. Cara cara oranges are rich in antioxidants vitamin A and C and folate.
Heirloom Tomatoes
A lot of varieties of heirloom tomatoes produce rosy pink skin. They contain lots of nutrients including potassium, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate
Java Apple
This variety of apple have a unique bell shape and the skin has a pink tint to it. It’s has a taste and texture similar to a pear.
Koshu Grapes
Koshu grapes are used to make white wine. These tasty grapes from Japan have a light pink color.
Loganberry
Loganberries are a hybrid between raspberries and blackberries. Their color ranges from deep purple to bright pink. These juicy berries are often used to make jam.
Loganberries are rich in manganese, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, vitamin B5, iron, folate, vitamins E and K, and essential B-vitamins thiamin and riboflavin.
Pink Lime
This round fruit is pinky orange on the outside and very pink on the inside. It looks like a minitature version of a pink grapefruit but tastes similar to a green lime. Pink lime juice taste great squeezed over salads.
Pink Pearl Apple
Pink pearl apples tastes sweet and tart. It has yellow skin and the inside is bright pink. They are really a showstopper in baking, especially in open tarts or in sauces where their pink color can show off.
Pink Pineapples
Pink pineapples are incredibly rare as they take two years to grow. It has a high concentration of lycopene which gives is their rosy pink color.
Pink Pomelo
Pink pomelo’s have a yellow skin and light pink inside. They are related to the grapefruit but are much sweeter and less bitter.
Pink Popcorn Blueberries
Another pink blueberry! These have a sweet and mild taste and rosy pink color.
Pink Reliance Grapes
These pink grapes have a mild fruity and very sweet taste. They are seedless and a light pink colour.
Pink Variegated Eureka Lemon
Pink variegated Eureka lemons have yellow and green sometimes stripey skin with a soft pink flesh. They taste like regular lemons and are rich in fiber and vitamin C.
Rainier Cherry
These two-toned cherries are yellow and pink on the outside with yellow flesh on the inside. They are a very sweet cherry so are amazing in desserts.
Pink Vegetables
Did you know you can find this many pink vegetables? Pink vegetables are great roasted, in salads or in stir fries.
Pink Cabbage
Adding color and crunch to salads and slaws, pink cabbage is a visually appealing vegetable. It gets it pink color from the natural compounds anthocyanin. It has a more peppery taste than other cabbages.
Pink Radishes
Radishes come in various shades, including pink, offering a peppery crunch and a pop of color to your dishes. Pink radishes are a great source of antioxidants and minerals like calcium and potassium. Making them great for blood pressure and for heart health.
Pink Potatoes
These heirloom potatoes have a naturally pink skin and flesh, making them a unique addition to your meals. They taste amazing both mashed or roasted.
Beets
There are lots of different types of beets. You can find pink beets, purple beets or even a red beet. Beets are great for blood pressure and support gut health.
Pink Carrots
An heirloom variety of carrots, they boast a pinkish hue and a slightly sweeter flavor compared to orange carrots. They taste amazing roasted in olive oil.
Pink Turnips
With dark pink skin, the white flesh is rippled with streaks of pink. These mild and subtly sweet root vegetables can be roasted, sautéed, or used in stews to add a touch of pink.
Pink Radicchio
Pink radicchio is a less bitter variety of chicory. It has a cabbage-like bulb of thick pink leaves and white veins. You can enjoy this pink food raw, sautéed, or roasted.
Ornamental Cabbages and Kale
Although pink-hued ornamental cabbage and kale are edible, they are best used as a garnish or decoration.
That is because they are very chewy and bitter to eat.
Chinese Pink Celery
This Asian celery has a crunchy texture, with a slightly sweet flavor. This pink food has vibrant bubble gum pink color and is great to add to salads and stir-fries.
Pink celery is a great source of vitamin K and potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and antioxidants that can help boost the immune system.
Rhubarb
This is the edible stalk of the rhubarb plant. With it’s color ranging from rosy pink, green and crimson. It’s taste is very tart so is typically combine with sugar to make desserts.
Rhubarb is rich in vitamin k, along with fiber, calcium and vitamin C.
If you want to try cooking with rhubarb then try this Rhubarb Crumble recipe.
Okinawa Pink Okra
Pink okra has a bubblegum pink color, it tastes slightly milder then green okra. You can use it in place of green okra in your dishes.
Okra is low in calories and is packed full of nutrients such as vitamin c to boost your immune system.
Pink Oyster Mushrooms
Typically the brightest colored and most visually striking mushrooms should not be eaten, however the pretty salmon Pink Oyster mushrooms are an exception! Their meat like flavor and texture make them a great alternative to meat in your dishes.
Pink Banana Squashes
Pink banana squashes have a thick salmon-pink rind that conceals salmon-pink flesh. The same with all squashes, it’s high in fiber and rich in vitamins A, B, and C, calcium, and iron.
Swiss Chard
This green leafy vegetable has deep pink stalks and veins. It has a mild flavor similar to baby spinach. Swiss chard is a great source of vitamin A and vitamin K and a good source of vitamin C and magnesium. It also contains the antioxidants beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Pink Asparagus
Pink asparagus is nutty and sweet tasting similar to white asparagus. It has a crispy and crunchy texture. It is rich in B vitamins, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B9, but also vitamins C and E.
Boniato Sweet Potato
A boniato potato is like a cross between a baking potato and a sweet potato when it comes to flavor and color. What makes the boniato unique from other potatoes is its pink to burgundy-colored skin and creamy white flesh.
Have you ever tried sweet potato brownies?
Watermelon Radishes
Watermelon radishes get their name from their bright pink interior and green skin. However they do not taste like watermelon, instead they have a mild flavor that is slightly sweet yet peppery.
Highland Burgundy Potato
Highland burgundy potatoes have burgundy skin and the inside is bright pink with a white ring around the edges. They are delicious both baked or mashed.
Japanese Pink Mizuna
Japanese pink mizuna has green leafs and bright purple stalks. It tastes similar to arugula and can be enjoyed both raw or cooked.
Clancy Potato
Clancy potatoes have a pink to deep red skin with white flesh. It has a creamy texture that makes it perfect for mashed potatoes.
Meat and Fish Pink Foods
Ham
Ham is a rich source of key nutrients, including iron, vitamin B12, carnosine, choline and co-enzyme Q10.
Salmon
Salmon is a great source of protein and is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a good source of B vitamins, potassium, selenium and astaxanthin.
More Pink Food Items
Here are more naturally pink food items.
Pink Himalayan salt
Pink Himalayan Salt is mined from the mountains of Nepal and Pakistan. Pink salt can be used in place of regular salt.
It gets its rosy pink color from trace minerals like magnesium, potassium and calcium
Pink Beans
Pink beans are a variety of bean that are similar to kidney beans. They have a meaty taste and a crunchy texture. They are incredible in soups and stews.
Cranberry Beans
Cranberry beans are also called borlotti beans. They have big maroon, magenta, or black specks on a creamy white background.
Edible Pink flowers
Did you know that you can find edible pink flowers?
Rose Petals
Rose petals are often used to make rose tea. However they are used in Indian cooking or dessert such as cookies or shortbread.
Garlic Flowers
Garlic flowers, or garlic scapes, can be used in place of fresh garlic.
Hollyhock Petals
Whilst they do not have much taste. Hollyhock petals are edible are are often used for garnishing dishes.
Dianthus Petals
Dianthus petals are often used as decorations on cakes. They are also frequently used in Chinese medicine for a herbal remedy to boost digestive health.
Prepared Pink Food Items
Planning a pink themed Birthday party, special occasion or valentine’s day and are looking for some inspiration, then try out some of these prepared pink food items.
Pink Drinks
Some pretty pink drinks:
Passion Fruit Tea
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Pink Lemonade
Strawberry Milkshake – Try this Strawberry Milkshake made from fresh strawberries
Pink Desserts
Try one of these pink sweet dishes
Cotton Candy
Pink cream cheese frosting spread over your favourite cake
Rhubarb Pie
Pink Ice Creams
Pink Donut
Pink cupcakes
Strawberry jam
Fruit salad containing the pink fruits shared in this post perfect for a hot summer day
Pink Savoury Foods
Beet Hummus
Pink Donuts
Pickled Red Cabbage
Pickled Red Onion
Pink Pasta
Rhubarb Pie
Turkish Delight
Pink Macarons
Pink Ice creams
Pink Recipes
Here are some pink recipes with an added bonus – You do not need any pink food dyes or food coloring to make these pink food items.
Raspberry and Almond Butter Smoothie
We hope you loved this list of best pink foods. From the delicate blush of watermelon to the striking magenta of beets, mother nature provides plenty of pink food items from soft blush pink to a vibrant pink color. Whether you’re looking to create an Instagram-worthy meal or simply add a pop of color to your diet, these naturally pink foods are sure to delight your senses.
Whilst some of these pink food items are quite rare you can find mos at your local grocery store.