Sainsbury's is adding three new varieties of beetroot to its Taste The Difference line-up this Christmas.

The new Heritage Coloured Beetroot range comprises white, golden and candy-striped (known as chioggia) varieties and goes on sale as a mixed bunch in 100 Sainsbury's stores on 8 December.

Supplier Isleham Fresh Produce, part of fresh produce giant Produce World, said each of the special-edition varieties had a unique taste profile and attributes. The golden variety had a "more delicate and sweeter" flavour than traditional red beetroot, the white was "extra sweet" and the chioggia had a "wonderful candy-stripe" appearance, it said. "They will bring a wealth of colour and flavour to the festive season's party buffets." Sainsbury's buyer Vanessa Ryder added: "They are so versatile, each with its own distinctive flavour, sweet enough to eat raw."