Have you ever heard of black tomatoes? I had not either – until now. When I discovered them, their rarity and beauty captured my admiration entirely. If this is a new concept to you as it was for me, no worries! Let me introduce these peculiar vegetables to you today.
Nothing can beat Black tomatoes if you want to grow some unique, healthier, and flavorful tomatoes. Yes, you are reading it correctly; black tomatoes exist. Nowadays, Black tomatoes are in trend because of their tremendous health benefits, appearance, and taste.
These tomatoes can add interest to your garden and give a pop of colors along with their unique smoky, sweet, and fruity flavor to your salads and many other dishes and acts as a mind blower. These tomatoes are hardly available in grocery stores, so if you want to try them, it’s better to grow your own and enjoy these unique varieties.
You can find almost 50 black varieties of tomatoes from larger sizes to cherry sizes; here, I have listed extraordinary, easy-growing, and flavorful varieties.
If you are a home gardener, I am here to provide you with the knowledge and insight into black tomatoes – from where to buy them, how to grow and care for them, as well as some of your available options. There is an array of choices when it comes to selecting the perfect tomato variety for your garden. Thus far my research has uncovered plenty of information about these special varieties that can help you make an informed decision!
Let’s leave back the regular red tomatoes and try planting some new handsome black-looking popular varieties of tomatoes.
What are Black Tomatoes?
The mysterious black tomato, scientifically known as Solanum Lycopersicum, was engineered in Russia. Many wonder whether these dark-hued fruits are safe to consume – the answer is a resounding yes! In fact, they’re just as nutritious and beneficial for you as regular tomatoes.
Have you ever wondered why these tomatoes are black? The reason is due to a higher concentration of anthocyanin, the compound that creates dark pigmentation. This same pigment influences not only black tomato coloration but also the shades of blueberries, raspberries, eggplants and grapes.
Black tomatoes are a unique variety of tomato that is dark in color, ranging from purple to black. They have a tangy and sweet taste with notes of smokiness and earthiness. The texture is softer than that of red tomatoes, but still firm enough to hold its shape when sliced or chopped.
Black tomatoes can be eaten fresh or cooked, and they are a great addition to salads, soups, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and more. They also make an interesting garnish for drinks such as margaritas!
The health benefits of black tomatoes include being high in antioxidants and vitamins A & C. They may help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease while boosting your immune system.
Black Krim
Black Krim, an heirloom variety of tomatoes, is well known for its unique feature and flavor. The outer skin of the tomato is dark maroon which makes it different from other varieties, and the upper portion of the fruit is dark green.
The plant starts to produce a high number of fruits after 80 days of planting.
Black Krim is sweet, tangy, and a little salty in taste and features greatly in salads. It is often used to prepare sauces too.
Black Beauty Tomato
Black Krim was first introduced as black tomatoes, but Black Beauty tomatoes are not lesser because of its darkest color. It is an indeterminate plant that continues to grow and produce fruits.
The tomato skin is dark purplish black, and the pulp is red meaty, rich fleshed fruit. It is slightly sweet and tangy in taste.
Black Beauty is often used in salads, sauces, salsas, and sandwiches.
Black Prince
Black Prince is an heirloom variety of tomatoes that prefer to grow in cooler climates and originates from Siberia.
Most tomato varieties can set fruits only in warm temperatures, but Black Prince sets fruits in cold climates.
So it is the perfect variety of tomatoes for those living in a cold environment. These tomatoes are deep maroon in color with green shoulders.
But the interior part of the tomatoes comes in a deeper shade and is often used in sauces.
Dark Galaxy
Dark Galaxy is an indeterminate plant that continues to grow and produce fruits throughout the season.
One half of the tomato is dark purple, and the other half is black in color. It has patches of golden yellow and red, making these tomatoes look like the milky way at night, hence named Dark Galaxy.
You might be confused about accepting these tomatoes as tomatoes because of their appearance. These varieties need to be fully exposed to sunlight to develop their clear darker color.
Black Cherry
Black cherry, an heirloom variety, is another darker variety of tomato that can give your garden an immense look, along with its sweet, complex, and tangy flavor.
The plant can produce fruits just after 75 days of planting. They are purple in color, used to garnish many dishes, and best fit as a snacking option.
Amazon Chocolate
Amazon Chocolates are beefsteak-type tomatoes that produce a high number of fruits. These tomatoes are well known for their chocolate brown and purple-black color and sweet, fruity juicy flavor.
But this variety can not be found easily, so keep searching for its seeds online or from any specialized tomato growers.
Black Icicle
Ukraine-originated variety, Black Icicle, is another unique and distinctive heirloom tomato variety with a slender, elongated shape. It has a deep and dark color and an intense and complex flavor.
It also beautifies your garden with its unique shapes and features. It is best used in salads and sandwiches.
Black Zebra
Black Zebra is an heirloom variety that is well known for its striking appearance. The outer part of the tomatoes is burgundy red with green stripes on it.
These tomatoes are not very acidic but have a sweet flavor and are best eaten fresh.
Cherokee Purple
Cherokee Purple is an heirloom variety of tomatoes that originated in Tennessee.
These tomatoes are deep purple red in color and have an impressive sweet delicious flavor. It has a fleshy and meaty texture, making it best for salads and sandwiches.
Grow Cherokee Purple in full exposure to sunlight, and you would get enough chances to enjoy its darker color.
Carbon
Carbon, a fascinating-looking tomato variety, is well known for its impressive rich complex flavor.
The fruit is well known because of its unique look and flavor, which can also give an attractive look to your garden.
It is an indeterminate plant that continues to grow and produce enough fruits throughout the season.
Chocolate Stripes
Chocolate stripes are similar to Black Zebra varieties which are deep red-brown and have lime to deep green stripes.
Along with their outer look, these tomatoes are very flavorful and delicious.
These tomatoes are often used in cooking and canning because of their rich flavor and meaty texture.
Black Sea Man
A Russian Heirloom tomato originated near the black sea region of Russia, hence its name Black Sea Man. The plant produces irregularly shaped dark green-purple skin fruits.
Black Sea Man is a determinate variety that can grow only up to a certain height and produce all the fruits in one go.
It is enjoyed both fresh and cooked, and also give a colorful look to your salads. Its unique flavor is often used in sandwiches and other dishes.
Black Plum
Black Plum tomatoes are another heirloom type of tomato variety, originating from Russia, with a cylindrical shape and pointed tip. The plant can produce a high number of fruits.
This indeterminate variety has dark brown to greenish tinge and a sweet, rich, slightly tart taste. It is best used in salads because of its impressive look and amazing taste.
Sauces made from these tomatoes are damn tasty because of their unique flavor.
Dwarf Velvet Night
Dwarf Velvet Night is well suited for container planting as it can grow only up to a height of 100 CM, making it one of the best choices for balcony gardeners.
The plant can set its fruits within 70 days of planting, which are charming Blackish brown. The fruits are a little bigger than cherry tomatoes.
These tomatoes have a deep, rich flavor, making them ideal for salads and sauces.
Dark Tiger
Dark Tiger has a unique appearance because of its attractive color combinations and handsome look. It combines dark purple, black, and deep red colors, which appear in a blended striped design and hence are named dark tiger.
The plant starts producing fruits after days of planting. Thanks to its sweet and delicious taste, which makes it perfect for use in many dishes.
Indigo Rose
Indigo Roses are the darkest variety of tomatoes with almost black skin and seem purplish red when directly exposed to sunlight. A team from Oregano State University, USA, developed it.
The fruit is composed of a compound called antioxidant anthocyanin, the main reason for its purple and blackish-blue color.
Indigo Rose tomatoes look more like a grape and less like a tomato. These are the unique and best tasting tomatoes with sweet, tangy, and a little fruity taste.
Black From Tula
Black From Tula is another popular heirloom variety of tomatoes grown for its immense color and flavor. These tomatoes are red-greenish brown in the shade.
These are one of the largest-sized black tomatoes with a special flavor, well described as rich, salty, and smoky flavor accompanying the interior tomato flesh.
These Russian-originated tomatoes from Tula are also disease resistant.
Purple Calabash
Last but not least variety of tomatoes on the list; Purple Calabash is known for its irregular shape (like a pumpkin shape). The tomato’s outer color is purple brown, giving it a unique appearance.
Comparatively, these tomatoes take a little more time to mature and produce fruits after 90 days of planting. But these tomatoes are extremely delicious.
They must be directly exposed to sunlight to obtain their darker and original beautiful color. It is used for cooking and preserving. It adds a pop of color when used in salads.
Black Tomatoes Light Requirements
Black tomatoes are a distinctive and eye-catching crop that bask in the sun’s rays. When exposed to 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day and warm soil, black tomatoes thrive like no other!
Unfortunately, many of these black tomato varieties lack frost tolerance – meaning they cannot survive in frost. But despite this one setback, their vibrant hues rich flavors make them worth growing year after year!
Black Tomatoes Soil Requirements
Black tomatoes prefer soil with a neutral pH, between 6.2 and 6.8, that is well-draining with plenty of organic matter mixed in. The soil should be amended before planting with compost or aged manure to boost nutrient levels and help retain necessary moisture.
Make sure the soil has enough calcium — too little can lead to blossom end rot, which causes brown spots on the bottoms of the fruit.
Additionally, an application of Epsom salts may be beneficial if deficiencies in magnesium are present.
Finally, keep an eye out for signs of fertilization overload; this could cause an abundance of foliage at the expense of fruit production. If your plants look like they’re not producing many fruits, consider reducing the amount of fertilizer you are giving them.
Black tomatoes also benefit from adequate water and other forms of irrigation, such as drip systems or soaker hoses, which can help ensure consistent moisture levels in the soil.
In dry climates, additional watering may be needed to keep plants healthy and produce plenty of fruit. Mulching around the base of plants with straw or bark chips helps conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds.
Proper pruning is also important; trimming off excess foliage helps sun exposure reach more of the plant, leading to better ripening and high yields. With a little bit of work and some extra care, you’ll be harvesting delicious black tomatoes in no time!
Best Black Tomatoes Companion Planting
Tomatoes love company, and when it comes to companion planting for black tomatoes there are a few good choices.
- Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, chives and mint will help repel pests and create flavor.
- Marigolds can also be added as they repel harmful nematodes that could otherwise feed on the tomato roots.
- Additionally, borage and nasturtiums provide beneficial insect predators that promote healthy plant growth.
- Finally, onions or garlic planted near tomatoes can help keep away aphids and other smaller insects.
All of these plants will not only benefit your garden but also add extra flavor to your dishes made with black tomatoes!
What do black tomatoes taste like?
Black tomatoes taste different from regular tomatoes. Unlike regular tomatoes, it gives a smoky-sweet, meaty flavor and is less acidic.
A few varieties, like Black Krim, can give a salty taste too. Some of the black varieties, like Indigo Rose, also remind you of the flavor of fruits. It can ideally be described as having a complex, smokey, and wine-like taste.
Are black tomatoes healthier?
Black tomatoes are full of nutrition, thus, considered a healthier option. Some of the benefits of eating fresh black tomatoes are as follows:
- It contains vitamin A and C, which is essential for human health.
- It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to improve sperm count.
- Eating black tomatoes improves eyesight.
- It acts as an antiaging agent.
- Promotes bone health and indigestion
- It helps to overcome the problem of bone cramps.
Summary
Black Tomatoes are not only attractive-looking fruits, but they also have a surprising and amazing taste. It can taste from earthy tones and smoky to sweet and salty. These unique colors can give a pop of color when used in salads. The overall look of the fruit also beautifies your garden. And these tomatoes are also easy to grow. Along with all these benefits, these tomatoes also contribute much to your health because of their unique components.
One of the best parts is some of the black varieties discussed above in the article can be grown in cooler climates, unlike regular tomatoes.
If you also live in a cooler country and want to grow tomatoes of your own, go ahead and plant these unique, flavorful, and healthier tomatoes.
References
- Profile of Purple and Black Tomato: Potential Applications in the Pharmaceutical Field Purple and Black Tomato, Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- USDA approves genetically modified purple tomatoes, KGW8
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