Chocolate Marble Tomato - Anyone Heard of It?

[LDx4]

I'm trying to find information on this tomato called Chocolate Marble. Here's the story:

I grow and sell produce (microgreens, Batavian lettuce, tomatoes in season) at local farmers markets. We have assigned stalls, so I'm always next to the same farmers each week. The stall next to me is a much larger farm that specializes in heirloom tomatoes. I've gotten friendly with the guy who sells (he's not the grower, but a member of the family). A few months ago he offered me some tomatoes to try out that he said were new to them, they just got the seeds this year. He said they were called "Chocolate Marble." Well, this tomato is incredible. Best tasting tomato I've had in a long time! Consistently good, just the right balance of sugar and acid. So I saved seeds, of course.

But, I can't find any information on the variety on the web at all. I've looked at the usual databases, at seed vendors' sites, Google searches. Since the seller is not the grower, he doesn't know much about actually growing tomatoes and couldn't tell me anything about the plant itself. All he could tell me was that it was an heirloom and new to them. It may not even be an heirloom.

It is the size of a saladette, definitely not a cherry. Purple with green shoulders. Thicker skin, which helps it stay fresh longer. (He continued to give me tomatoes each week after I liked them so much). I kept them on the counter for several weeks at a time. They get a little wrinkled, but still taste great. Even with the colder weather in early December, he still had some to sell. Even then, they still tasted fantastic.

So I was wondering if anyone here has heard of this tomato and could shed some light on it for me. I'll be growing them this year to see if it is actually OP or not. If it is OP, I'll definitely share seeds - this tomato is amazing.

Lyn

[Salsacharley]

It looks like Haleys Purple Comet to me.

[Deborah]

Gee Lyn, now you're getting me curious too!

[LDx4]

Thanks Charley! You're right, it does look just like Haley's Purple Comet. But, I've grown HPC before and while I remember the flavor was good, it wasn't outstanding like these tomatoes. Plus, it's kind of weird how long these tomatoes stay fresh on my counter. I'm talking weeks and weeks. And they were ripe to begin with.

So maybe it's an improved HPC?

Deborah, if you find out anything, let me know!

Lyn

[Deborah]

I'm no expert so I wouldn't be someone who'd be able to find out anything, but it'll be interesting to see what others more tomato savvy will have to say.