I am using the following look-and-feel configuration for NetBeans

-J-DPlastic.tabStyle=Metal
-J-DPlastic.defaultTheme=DesertBluer
-ui com.jgoodies.plaf.plastic.PlasticXPLookAndFeel

The attached gif shows how the search terms are blacked-out when I use this look and feel.

I have noted that other people have had similar complaints in user groups about this problem with other looks and feels.