Pink and Purple Tomatoes

 

1884  1884 ($4.95)  (B)    ((HG) (E) 78 days. 1884 is a superbly flavored old-time tomato which grows on a strong vigorous plant and produces big luscious 2 lb. deep dark pink fruit with luxurious flavor and sets fruit readily in hot weather. It is said that the original seeds were discovered in 1884 by a Mr. Williamson in the debris after the big flood in Friendly, West Virginia. This grand fruit has taken top mention year after year in tomato tastings all over the country. Easy to grow and very productive. Marvelous for fresh eating and makes a luscious sauce.

 

Brandywine, Pink, Sudduth Strain ($4.95) 82 days. (B)  (HG)  Around 1980 a Mrs. Sudduth of Tennessee gave some seeds of this variety, which had been grown by her family for more than 100 years, to tomato seedsman Ben Quisenberry of Ohio.

 

This is thought to be the old-time original Brandywine tomato. Many gardeners consider this strain the best Brandywine with fruit that is superior in taste and smoothness. Its tomatoes are indeed special, 1 to 2 pound pink beefsteaks with the delectably complex, rich, sweet flavor that has made Brandywine justifiably famous.  Big, beautiful, pink and luscious with classic heirloom flavor, it is the tomato to which other heirlooms are compared. "Is it as good as Brandywine?" Each fruit is a treasure.

 

 

New for 2010!  Brandywine, Purple ($4.95) 75 days. So many customers have asked for this fabulous variety that I am including it for 2010. With classic, rich Brandywine flavor, yet a deeper purple hue, meaty texture, about 3 to 4" and 12 to 16 ounces. Delicious robust flavors make Purple Brandywine a real treat in your garden!

 

 

 

 New for 2010!    Bull's Heart  ($4.95) This old time oxheart tomato from Russia is deepest pink with rich, robust, unruly flavor that will capture your senses.  Meaty with few seeds it is outstanding for fresh eating and for sauce. Reaching 1 to 2 lbs and very productive, it will become a stale in your garden.

 

 

 

 

Cherokee Purple Cherokee Purple ($4.95) (HG) (E) 70 days. A legendary and beautiful tomato, at least 100 years old and said to have been grown by the Cherokee People. 12 oz. deep dark dusky rose-purple, deep red inside, with sweet, rich and smoky, luscious flavor. Cherokee Purple is a garden staple, in everyone's favorite list for a good reason, disease resistant, reliable and easy to grow, and great one for your heirloom or heritage garden. 

 

 

New for 2010!  The Dutchman ($4.95) 80-85 days. (B)  I have grown plants of this huge, old pink heirloom variety as a special order for a customer who is crazy about it.  When I tasted the fruit recently (wow), I understood why he loves it. The Dutchman's luxurious silken flesh, heady fragrance and big, bold old-time luscious flavors blew me away. My eyes rolled back in my head -- I knew it was a must-grow for our 2010 variety list. Reaching 2 lbs., it is sweet, gorgeous and divine with lingering notes of melon and a subtle back hint of sweet lime.

 

 

 

 

Earl's Faux (pronounced Earl's Foe) ($4.95) (E)   76 days. From Ohio, this terrific fruit won best of show at Cincinnati's famous CHOPTAG (Cincinnati Heirloom & Open Pollinated Tomato Associate Growers) Taste Fest in 2003. From among more than 50 great varieties, Earl's Faux was the hands-down winner and is now the talk of the tomato world.

It arose in 2000 in the Ohio garden of well know heirloom tomato grower Earl Cadenhead from a seed which was expected to produce Red Brandywine. To Earl's surprise, the delicious fruit grew out a beautiful pink, weighing 8 to 12 ounces, on a big hearty potato-leafed plant--a fruit which no one had seen before. Initially called Earl's Faux Red Brandywine, it is now officially named Earl's Faux.  Because of its smooth texture, and lingering flavor which has been described as a 'bases loaded home run' by the guys, and 'enchanting'  and 'a symphony' by the ladies, it has become highly prized among tomato-loving folks fortunate to have gotten some of these precious seeds.

 

 

 

  Eva Purple Ball ($4.95) 65 days     (E) A beautiful, adaptable, and reliable choice for your garden. Easy to grow, virtually problem free, and often called the most beautiful tomato of all. Eva Purple Ball produces perfectly round, deep pink, 6-8 oz, juicy, sweet luscious globes with an outstanding rich and refreshing flavor. At first bite, the tanginess dominates, giving way a moment later to an enduring sweetness with overtones of tropical fruit and spice. Growing very well in high heat and humidity, its very high-yield and disease resistance makes this prolific garden staple an outstanding choice for novice gardeners and experts alike. Originally from the Black Forest of Germany in the late 1800's. This plant out produced all others in my 2005 summer garden.

 

 

 

German Giant ($4.95) (BB) (E)   75 days. German Giant, an old family heirloom, produces humungous deep pink smooth tomatoes with huge luscious flavor. Sweet and juicy with a rich lingering aftertaste, it reaches 2 lbs-3 lbs. in only 75 to 78 days. Very productive with potato-leafed foliage, this fine old favorite is scrumptious!  

 

 

 

 

Julia Child Julia Child ($5.25) (E)   78 days. The talk of the tomato world, borne on a big, elegant potato-leafed plant, Julia Child's 4" 1 lb. lightly fluted deep pink beefsteak fruits have gigantic flavor--robust, hearty, with classic old-time tomato taste, bursting with divine richness. Juicy, beautiful, just splendid. Named for Julia Child by her dear friend and owner of Carmel TomatoFest, Gary Ibsen.

 

 

 Momotaro  ($5.95) (H) (VE)   62 days. (HG) This very popular early-ripening hybrid variety, (and Dolly Parton's favorite tomato), is being offered due to hundreds of requests from my customers who have found Momotaro fruits at Farmer's Markets. It is exceptionally sweet, low-acid, juicy and just beautiful with a very long shelf life. The 6 ounce fruits are a stunning shade of pink, full flavored, luscious and bountiful on the vine, with superb disease resistance.

I smuggled one into an heirloom tasting party, and the folks loved it. The revelation that it's a hybrid was a splendid surprise to the gathered heirloom aficionados and motley crew of tomato gourmets and gourmands. 

Named for an ancient legend of Momotaro, or Peach Boy, Momotaro was a baby boy found inside a giant peach by childless peasant farmers who had longed for a child of their own. He grew to be a famous warrior for peace. Among his many achievements: conquering, and then encouraging the ogres of Ogre Island to stop pillaging and be nice ogres. Each year the Momotaro festival in Japan celebrates the legend of this brave and wondrous child. 

 

 

 

Omar's Lebanese ($4.95)  (BBB)     80 days. The big one! Omar's Lebanese has a passionately sweet and complex flavor. These immense fruits--deep dark pink and juicy--grow to 3-4 lbs, with excellent disease resistance. A spectacular tomato. Really easy to grow, out of this world. Takes 2 hands to pick it. In my top 5.

 

 

 

 

     Purple Haze AVAILABLE LATE APRIL ($12.95) (E) (HG)     70 to 75 days.  Purple Haze is our rarest plant; there is nothing like it in the world. The seeds for this exquisite deep purple fruit are from Kansas City tomato grower and developer and my favorite tomato guru, Keith Mueller. Keith developed this perfectly round 2" to 3" tomato with rapturous flavor, a seductive shape and sensuous color.  It's name was inspired by its beguiling color and parental lineage which combines Brandywine, Cherokee Purple and Black Cherry.

The flavor, for the lucky few who have eaten one, is lively and sparkling with a fine tanginess, passionate with earthy nuances and lingering sweetness.

Early ripening growing in abundance on a huge plant in clusters of 5 to 7 fruits, it ripens in only 70 days from plant out.

Adding to its extraordinary attributes, it has a subtle yet seductive saltiness--challenging to describe.  Whatever it is, this fruit put a spell on me.

Exceedingly rare, its ravishing beauty and flavor are unequaled in the tomato world.  This is a rare opportunity for you to enjoy the Purple Haze Experience. Supply is very limited, please order early. A Laurel's exclusive.

NOTE:  A portion of the proceeds from Purple Haze will be donated to TACA, Talk About Curing Autism, to assist families autistic children. Donations will be made in the names of a couple of very fine and winsome young fellows.  www.talkaboutcuringautism.org.

 

 

 

New for 2010!    Purple Prince ($4.95) 75 days.    From Virginia, this beautiful, luscious tomato gives you armloads of big yummy 10 to 12 ounce irresistible deep purple  tomatoes with outstanding flavor. At sunset when the light hits them they take on a jewel-like glow, like a sunset at midnight and glow purple on the vine. Heavy in the hand, rich with juice, a sinful pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

Sister ($5.95)     80 days. This strong, beautiful and amazing tomato plant out-produces other varieties, stands up to cold and heat, resists disease, tastes marvelous and gives you a whopping crop of big, gorgeous, incredibly delicious 4" pink beefsteak fruits. Rich, luscious, sweet on the vine, with unforgettable old-time tomato flavor, this hearty potato-leafed plant is bountiful, resilient and reliable. Even during the most challenging seasons, Sisters will come through for you. A wonderful gift for family and friends.

 

 

 

Watermelon Beefsteak ($4.95) 78 days. This is the true Watermelon Beefsteak, an heirloom tomato variety dating back to the 1800's. Originating from seedsman George Gleckler, this tall, hearty plant yields abundant crops of 1 to 2 lb, lightly-scalloped, pink beefsteak tomatoes with sweet, complex, juicy, BIG tomatoey flavors with perfectly balanced acidity. This is a perfect example of the "old-fashioned" beefsteak tomato.  An superb choice for slicing for yummy tomato sandwiches, or tomato salads.

 

 

 

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