Japanese Pink Cherry Tomato ?

[AlittleSalt]

We are eating our first Japanese Pink Cherry tomatoes and they are very good tasting. I looked online for information on them, but only found that other people grow them and like them as well. The word, "Japanese" makes me think they originated in Japan, but not necessarily.

I'm wondering if any of you know anything about their history? Where did they come from? Are they heirloom or something relatively new?

[jmsieglaff]

I had read somewhere, and I have no idea if it was true or just some BS in a seed catalog (maybe referring to Momotaro tomatoes?), but that pink and sweet are the favorite kind of tomatoes in Japan. Would your cherry fit the bill (you've already said it is pink so I suppose that much is true)? I know it sounds like a gross generalization, but you could generalize the US as preferring bland, round, red tomatoes sold in stores by sales volume.

[AlittleSalt]

It is pink and sweet, but not sweet like Sungold or many of the hybrid cherries. Here is a size comparison picture.

[jmsieglaff]

Has the size comparable to Carbon Copy. Have you tried that one Robert? I enjoy that cherry tomato immensely. Sorry if I derailed the topic briefly, it will be interesting to hear from
Someone who knows.

[AlittleSalt]

Derailing is fine I have several Carbon Copy growing, but we haven't tasted them yet - they're still green.

[pmcgrady]

Originally Posted by jmsieglaff

I had read somewhere, and I have no idea if it was true or just some BS in a seed catalog (maybe referring to Momotaro tomatoes?), but that pink and sweet are the favorite kind of tomatoes in Japan. Would your cherry fit the bill (you've already said it is pink so I suppose that much is true)? I know it sounds like a gross generalization, but you could generalize the US as preferring bland, round, red tomatoes sold in stores by sales volume.

Momotaros are bigger

[AlittleSalt]

It isn't a Momotaro. It was given to me as "Japanese Pink Cherry" - but I guess it could be something someone renamed?

One way or other, it's a tomato I will grow again.

[NarnianGarden]

I saw several references to it on-line, at some sites. (Roger's Gardens is not a selling site but they have reviews)
It looks very similar to that Sweet Treats from Sakata .. but probably is not..

One site says that the Japanese prefer pink toms - no wonder, they're so pretty! Can't blame them ..

Aesthetics play a large role in som Asian countries - in Japan they also grow luxury fruits & veggies that can cost hundreds of dollars just for a few - they are given as presents, not for everyday consumption though.

If you are going to share seeds later in the season - here is one thankful participant...

[Gardeneer]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

It is pink and sweet, but not sweet like Sungold or many of the hybrid cherries. Here is a size comparison picture.

Nice looking tomatoes.
Those are much larger than large cherries. I consider them saladett size.
But it does not matter what they are named.

Gardeneer

[Scooty]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

We are eating our first Japanese Pink Cherry tomatoes and they are very good tasting. I looked online for information on them, but only found that other people grow them and like them as well. The word, "Japanese" makes me think they originated in Japan, but not necessarily.

I'm wondering if any of you know anything about their history? Where did they come from? Are they heirloom or something relatively new?

I doubt it's actually from Japan. Asia in general has a very short history with new world crops and tomatoes more so because its seldom used in the local cuisine. There are less than 10 well known seed houses for the Japan market - Mikado seed, Marutane, Kyowa, Kaneko, and Known-You. Of those, I think less than 5 of them had or have a tomato breeding program, and even then, they are usually focused on rootstocks. Tomatoes bred to be consumed are more often supplied from another breeder.

Nearly everything in Japan with regards to tomatoes are hybrids. None of the cherry tomatoes I've seen in Japan have ever been pink. Even at the farmer's markets, you're more likely to see sungold or sweet 100. If you want something like Pink Bumble, it's probably from someone growing on a small scale.

If anything, your pink cherry looks much closer to Sweet Treats F1 by Sakata America, which someone mentioned. Roger's Garden calls this "Japanese Pink Cherry," but it's the same thing. They're using the same stock picture supplied by Sakata.

[AlittleSalt]

I just sent a PM to the person I got the seeds from. I think they are OP. She sent me a lot of seeds in that pack.

I'm finding that stock picture at many sites http://www.tomatogrowers.com/SWEET-T...ductinfo/6353/

Here are some pictures I just took.

[Scooty]

Originally Posted by AlittleSalt

I just sent a PM to the person I got the seeds from. I think they are OP. She sent me a lot of seeds in that pack.

I'm finding that stock picture at many sites http://www.tomatogrowers.com/SWEET-T...ductinfo/6353/

Here are some pictures I just took.

Most of the places using the name "japanese pink cherry" seem to both use the stock photo from Sakata's Sweet Treats F1, and omit that it's a F1 hybrid. The description used at several sites indicates it should be smaller than golfball though.

Sweet Treats came out in 2010-ish I think. There should be enough time for people to have selected a few generations out. I'm guessing that's probably what you have, and the previous growers were simply unaware that it was originally a hybrid. That might account for the slight size difference.

If this isn't a selection of Sweet Treats, I have no other idea how they might have arrived at the name "japanese pink cherry."

[NarnianGarden]

If the taste is good, count me in.. Anything pink gets my vote

(already having Pink Baby F1 seedlings this year, very curious about the color... )

[Cole_Robbie]

It could be Russian. They'll name a tomato anything. "Japanese Crab" is Russian, for example.

[patty_b]

I think last year was the first year growing Japanese Pink Cherry. I know I liked them too.. Look similar to yours this year...