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First we had multi-colour carrots - red, yellow, white, purple (plus the standard orange) - and now red sprouts? Where will it end?!

The sprout is a widely accepted AND rejected vegetable in many households. Some love the taste of a sprout and couldn't imagine a Christmas dinner without it, whilst others will do everything in their power to avoid it.

For those who enjoy a sprout or two (and perhaps those who don't, but are likely to see sprouts on their table this Christmas regardless), should they be green, or is a 'festive red' sprout a welcomed twist or a traditional vegetable?

Please have a read of the article below taken from the FDiN website and let us know your thoughts!

The Co-operative, Asda an Marks and Spencer have all announced plans to launch festive Red Sprouts in time for the festive season.

The new variety of sprouts will add colour to the traditional British Christmas dinner plate, which is used to seeing green sprouts on plate - and aims to encourage shoppers to stick with the veg - known for being the least favoured part of a Christmas dinner.

The new Red Sprouts have the same taste as their conventional counterparts.

The red sprout stalks - which are rich in vitamin C - will be harvested by hand in the run up to Christmas, and will be introduced into stores nationwide.

The sprouts are sold on a central stalk rather than loose which helps the sprouts stay fresh, and means they can be stored in the fridge for over a week.

Siobhan Thornbury, vegetable buyer for The Co-operative, commented:

Red Sprouts have the same taste as their conventional counterparts
"We're really excited to be stocking these quirky sprouts this Christmas, which are similar in colour to red cabbage. Sprouts are very versatile and can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried or roasted, but my tip is to pan-fry the sliced red sprouts with butter, pancetta and black pepper for a posh twist to your Christmas dinner."

Dr Simon Coupe, an agronomist at M&S said:

"We've been working with our sprout producers for over 30 years and are really excited to be offering customers these striking red sprouts.

"They keep their vivid colour after cooking, so will be a great addition to the dinner plate."

Asda was first retailer to announce it's plans to stock the red sprouts commercially following trials in Cambridgeshire, where they are grown.

Asda produce buying manager Anne Spencer said:

"Sprouts are as traditional as Father Christmas and we sell millions of them every year.

"Whether you love them or hate them, they are one of the healthiest vegetables around so, for those who aren't so keen, we hope this exciting new variety, with its sweeter flavour, will encourage people to make them a festive favourite."

[Source]