The Many Colors and Varieties of Purple Tomatoes: A Detailed Look at Each One
Purple tomato varieties
Purple tomatoes are a bit of a mystery to many people. They are not as well-known as red or green tomatoes, and they come in many different shapes and sizes. In this blog post, we will take a detailed look at each variety of purple tomato. We will discuss their characteristics and how they differ from one another. So if you are curious about these unique fruits, keep reading!
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Purple Tomato Varieties
There are over 60 different varieties of purple tomatoes. But for this article, we are only going to focus on 16 of the most popular ones.
Black Cherry
The Black Cherry tomato is one of the most unique and delicious varieties of tomatoes you will ever taste. This small, cherry-shaped tomato is grown from transplants 40-65 days after planting. It is an indeterminate tomato with an open-pollinated seed. The Black Cherry tomato has an intense flavor that is rich and sweet, with a blackish tinge to its crimson flesh. This tall plant can grow up to five feet tall and be almost 4 feet wide.
Black From Tula
The Black from Tula tomato is a Russian heirloom tomato, which produces large, oblate-shaped fruit. The distinctive dark purple color, as well as the rich sweet taste, make this variety a favorite. Tula Black is renowned for its excellent flavor and can grow to 14 ounces in size when fully ripe. This indeterminate plant grows well in cooler climates and can be harvested about 75 days after planting. This juicy tomato is great for slicing and eating fresh, or for using in salads or salsas.
Black Krim
The Black Krim is also known as Black Crimson has been grown and loved for years in its native Russia. It is one of the most popular purple tomatoes. This large, distinctive fruit ranges from dark reddish-purple to black with green/brown shoulders.
The flavor of Black Krim is robust and rich. The flesh has a smoky undertone with hints of saltiness and the perfect amount of acidity. It's very different from other tomatoes, but many people like it as much if not more than standard red varieties!
This beefsteak tomato will be matured in 60-75 days from transplanting. It is an indeterminate and open-pollinated heirloom tomato.
Black Krim can weigh as much as eight to twelve ounces and will produce plenty of fruit all season. It's best to give them plenty of support because the stems need help holding up this fruit load.
One of the downsides to Black Krim tomatoes is due to their size they can crack.
Brad's Black Heart
Brad's Black Heart is a new, highly sought-after tomato variety that has quickly become a favorite among tomato enthusiasts. It was found by Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms in a patch of thousands of Black Krim.
This large (up to 12 oz.), heart-shaped fruit is dark purple with green shoulders and a deep, rich flavor. Brad's Black Heart tomatoes are best eaten fresh, but can also be used in sauces or salsas. They have a meaty, dense texture that holds up well to cooking. They're also great for slicing or chopping into salads!
Brad's Black Heart is an indeterminate and open-pollinated variety of tomato that will produce a large crop all season long! The plants will grow up to six feet tall, so give them plenty of room to spread out their leaves before harvesting begins at around 80 days from planting time (when the first fruits ripen). Their vigorous vines need support due to their weight.
Brad's Black Heart tomatoes are very susceptible to cracking and splitting, so it is important not to overwater them.
Carbon
The 2005 “Heirloom Garden Show” best-tasting tomato award winner. The previous few years have seen the Carbon tomato sweep taste accolades coast to coast.
The Carbon tomato is a unique variety that was created in 1998 by George Weiss of North Babylon, NY.
This large (up to 12 oz.), beefsteak-type fruit is one of the darkest black tomatoes. This indeterminate variety will be matured in 70-85 days from transplanting. Carbon is an open-pollinated tomato.
The flavor of this tomato is richer and more complex than that of other large purple types. The fruits resemble those of the Cherokee Purple type, although they are larger.
Since the fruit can be rather large, it is best to provide support for the plant.
Cherokee Purple
The Cherokee Purple tomato has a rich and balanced flavor of sweet and tart making it one of the most popular purple tomatoes.
Cherokee Purple heirloom tomatoes are large beefsteaks that weigh about 12 oz. when fully ripe and have a beautiful, dusky purple-pink color with dark red flesh inside.
This tomato plant is a vigorous grower and can produce 20 fruits from one plant. They can reach heights of up to 6 feet high so make sure you give them vertical support by staking them up or tying them onto a trellis as they grow taller! This indeterminate variety will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
Its sweet, robust taste and meaty fruit make it a great slicing tomato for sandwiches and salads.
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Dwarf Wild Fred
In the early 2000s, a cross was made between Carbon and New Big Dwarf to create this unique variety.
The Dwarf Wild Fred tomato plants grow to about four feet tall with an abundance of purple/black, medium-to-large beefsteak tomatoes on each plant! They are perfect if you have limited space in your garden or want to do container growing. Because it is a dwarf tomato, it will require support, just like all of the new dwarf cultivars.
This indeterminate and open-pollinated tomato will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
Dwarf Wild Fred tomatoes have a sweet, well-balanced flavor.
Gary O'Sena
Gary O'Sena tomatoes are large (up to 18 oz.) beefsteak-type fruits that are a combination of Brandywine and Cherokee Purple tomatoes. The fruits are dark purple with a pink tinge and have deep red flesh.
This indeterminate variety will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
The cultivar of this tomato, which was created and maintained by breeder Keith Mueller, is named after his grandmother.
Its sweet, robust taste and meaty fruit make it a great slicer tomato for sandwiches and salads.
Indian Stripe
The Indian Stripe tomato is a unique heirloom variety. This tomato looks like Cherokee Purple but tastes similar to Brandywine. The flavor is not as strong or complex as Cherokee Purple.
This indeterminate and open-pollinated tomato will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
It produces large oblate beefsteak that produces pink/purple fruit with green stripes. The flavor is rich and complex, with sweetness. This tomato is a great choice for canning and making sauces, but it also makes wonderful sandwiches!
JD Special C Tex
The JD Special C Tex tomato is a cross between the Early Girl F1 and Black Krim. J.D. Brann of Texas created this tomato in the early 1980s and promoted it through his family farm.
The plant produces large beefsteak fruits. The tomatoes can range in size from 12-20 ounces. The JD Special C Tex is a dark purple/black fruit with intense flavor and excellent texture.
This indeterminate variety will be matured in 80 days from transplanting.
Perth Pride
The Perth Pride tomato is a dwarf open-pollinated heirloom with intense flavor. The tomatoes are a medium size purple/black fruit with a globe shape.
The plant produces round fruits that can be 3-5 ounces in size. The skin is smooth and thin which can cause the fruits to split if they are over-ripe. The Perth Pride has a rich, complex flavor with sweetness and acidity offering a little tartness.
This indeterminate variety will be matured in 80 days from transplanting.
Price's Purple
The Price's Purple tomato is a large, oblate, indeterminate, open-pollinated heirloom with intense flavor native to Russia. The tomatoes are dark purple/black fruit. It is also referred to as Purple Price or the Purple Prince.
This variety will be matured in 80 days from transplanting.
This tomato is great for slicing and making sandwiches or salads.
Purple Calabash
The Purple Calabash tomato is a unique, heirloom variety. The plant produces large (up to 12 oz.), slightly flattened, beefsteak-type fruits that are a beautiful dark purple with green shoulders.
This indeterminate and open-pollinated tomato will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
The Purple Calabash has an intense and complex flavor that is great for making sauces. It is also drought-resistant and can handle dry, hot weather.
Purple Russian
The Purple Russian heirloom tomato is a very old variety that has been grown in Russia for centuries. It is also known as the Ukrainian Purple.
This indeterminate tomato will be matured in 75 days from transplanting.
This tomato is pepper-shaped that is deep purple-red that produces medium-sized fruit ranging from 5-7 ounces. The fruit has a rich, sweet flavor balanced flavor. It is great for using in salsa and salads.
Rosella Purple
The Rosella Purple tomato is a dwarf variety. Like Cherokee Purple, it's a tasty variety. The large oblate-shaped fruit can grow from 6-10 ounces.
This deep purple tomato only grows up to 36 inches which makes it perfect for container gardening. It will need some support, so make sure to use a cage or stakes.
This indeterminate and open-pollinated variety will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
The Rosella Purple has a great flavor that is slightly tart and sweet with a complex depth of flavor. It's perfect for fresh eating, salads, and sandwiches.
Southern Night
The Southern Nights tomato is a Russian heirloom. It is named for the pitch-black nights that occur in southern Russia. The fruit has a purple-brown color with green shoulders and an oblong shape that can range from 6-12 ounces in size. The flavor is rich, sweet, and complex with some tartness. This tomato is great for slicing, salsa, and cooking.
This indeterminate variety will be matured in 85 days from transplanting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Purple Tomatoes
What are the benefits of eating purple tomatoes?
There are many benefits to eating purple tomatoes. They are a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They also have a high lycopene content which can help protect against cancer and heart disease.
Are all purple tomato varieties the same?
No. There are many varieties of purple tomatoes and each one is unique with different characteristics and flavor profiles. The best way to determine which variety you like the most is to try them all!
What does a purple tomato taste like?
The taste of a purple tomato depends on the variety. Not all varieties have the same flavor profile. Some may be sweet and some may be tart or acidic with some having a very complex flavor.
Are purple tomatoes safe to eat?
Yes. All purple tomatoes are safe to eat.
Are purple tomatoes genetically modified?
Some are but not all. Purple tomatoes are usually cross-bred for desirable traits and attributes.
How do you know when purple tomatoes are ripe?
The best way to know when a purple tomato is ripe is to look at the color. The fruit should be a deep, dark purple or black. You can also test by gently pressing on the fruit. If it is soft and yields to pressure, then it's ready to eat! Here is when you should pick your tomatoes for an abundant harvest.
16 Purple Tomato Varieties Worth Trying
Purple tomatoes are a beautiful and delicious addition to any garden. With so many different varieties, there is sure to be one that fits your growing conditions and taste preferences. While the flavor may vary slightly from variety to variety, they are all distinctly fruity with a touch of sweetness. If you’re looking for something different to plant this year, why not give one of these beautiful purple tomatoes a try?
