Black tomatoes are popular for their smoky flavor and unique appearance. They come in over 50 varieties and are suitable for cooler climates. They are easy to grow and resistant to disease. Popular varieties include black krim and Tula black. They can be purchased online.
The best way to choose a black tomato is to consider taste, aesthetic appeal, and disease resistance. Many gardeners choose a black tomato because they are initially drawn to its dark, exotic color and distinctive smoky flavor. Black tomato varieties have been developed that are suitable for many types of climates and growing conditions, especially cooler climates with shorter summer growing seasons. These unusual heirloom tomatoes come in over 50 types that vary in size, taste, and color.
Black tomatoes aren’t really black, but dark purple when ripe, with brown, mahogany, or blue undertones depending on the variety. Some even have streaks and shades of green in their skins when they are mature. These tomatoes stand out from most heirlooms, which tend to be red, yellow or orange. While some black tomato varieties have a deep, dark color, especially when exposed to heat, others are mostly red, with just a hint of a purplish tint. These may be suitable for gardeners who want a tomato that looks more like traditional red varieties.
The black tomato originated on the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine. Many varieties are quite hardy and able to tolerate cooler summers due to their cold heritage, making them a wise choice for northern gardeners who might not otherwise have success growing tomatoes. It takes only 75 days for these tomatoes to ripen. One factor that attracts the black tomato is climate flexibility, as they can also tolerate long, hot summers. The amount of heat and sun they receive during the growing season can affect the depth of color.
While the black tomato may look exotic, it is easy to grow and can be a good choice for even the novice gardener. Many black varieties are known for their large size and, consequently, tendency to split. However, there are some new varieties that have been specially developed to minimize the chances of splitting and maximize resistance to common tomato pests and diseases.
Because the black tomato is an heirloom variety, it is not available through local garden centers and can be purchased through various online seed sources that have detailed descriptions of each variety and details on their hardiness and disease resistance. Companies are helpful in describing the taste of the tomato, which is often smoky and earthy and can be salty or sweet.
Some of the more popular varieties with growers are black krim, a tasty Russian steak variety that is one of the oldest varieties, and Tula black, a very large and aesthetically appealing tomato that will tolerate heat. Although the larger black varieties tend to crack, they have a reputation as some of the best tasting tomatoes available, and they’re worth the wait. Black cherries can be eaten straight from the vine, but have the distinctive black flavor. Black plum varieties tend to be more difficult to obtain, but have a high yield and unique flavor.
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