The red cabbage, red cabbage, red cabbage or cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata f. rubra) is a plant of the cabbage family (and both of cabbage). This variety of cabbage in which the leaves have a characteristic violet color. This color is due to the presence of a pigment called anthocyanin. The strength of this color may depend largely on the acidity (pH) of soil, leaves grow redder in acidic soils while in alkaline are more blue.