King humberto tomato

[Old chef]

Hello, I am Chef specializing in Wood Fired Pizza. I have been doing some investigation into tomatoes on pizza. I understand that before "San Marzano" tomato was the plum standard- King Umberto or RE Umberto was the standard tomato in the early 1900's.
FYI. The Margherita Pizza was named after his Wife, Queen Margherita de Savoy.

Anyone who can share any information on this variety, I would be very appreciative!

Old Chef

[MrBig46]

An interesting discussion about RE Umberto took place in this thread.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...umbert&page=10

I wanted Carolyn's seeds, but I never got them because she had them somewhere in a glass that she didn't have access to. This glass was found in her estate and the seeds from 1994 were sent to me by Shawn. I'll try to germinate them. An interesting link is to Reihart Kraft, with whom I am connected via Facebook. I will try to get seeds from him (if I fail with seed germination from Shawn). I tried to get the seeds through the Italian website Agria, but no one or moderator Emilio, who lives in the area below Vesuvius, promised me anything. I've seen on the web that someone offers seeds for sale, but I don't know if it's really Re Umberto.

Vladimír

[ddsack]

Here is an old thread with quite a bit of discussion.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...hlight=humbert

I grew it so long ago I don't remember that much, but the seeds I received had points and were the size of Romas, but juicier and better tasting.

[FarmerShawn]

I regrew Umberto last year from seeds I saved a few years ago, and I got the variety originally from Carolyn. I grew it just so I could resave fresh seeds and not lose the variety. So I've got a few if you'd like them. PM me if interested. I hope Vladimir has success with his awakening efforts; it would be interesting to compare results to determine if mine are like the older ones.

[Old chef]

Originally Posted by ddsack

Here is an old thread with quite a bit of discussion.

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...hlight=humbert

I grew it so long ago I don't remember that much, but the seeds I received had points and were the size of Romas, but juicier and better tasting.

Thank you for this information

Old Chef
Fornino.com

[Old chef]

Originally Posted by FarmerShawn

I regrew Umberto last year from seeds I saved a few years ago, and I got the variety originally from Carolyn. I grew it just so I could resave fresh seeds and not lose the variety. So I've got a few if you'd like them. PM me if interested. I hope Vladimir has success with his awakening efforts; it would be interesting to compare results to determine if mine are like the older ones.

PM sent. Thank you

[Fusion_power]

King Humbert is not difficult to find. IIRC, Sandhill Preservation has it. It is also interesting to check out other tomatoes commonly used for pizza such as Piennolo del Vesuvio or one of the drupelet sauce tomatoes such as Christopher Columbus. Going on memory, Lampedusa should be another of iterest.

[Old chef]

Originally Posted by Fusion_power

King Humbert is not difficult to find. IIRC, Sandhill Preservation has it. It is also interesting to check out other tomatoes commonly used for pizza such as Piennolo del Vesuvio or one of the drupelet sauce tomatoes such as Christopher Columbus. Going on memory, Lampedusa should be another of iterest.

Thank you, I will look into these. I am familiar with the Piennolo del Vesuvio both red and yellow

Thanks
Ever in NYC. Fornino.com? I will make you the best pizza in your life!!

Michael Ayoub
Old Chef

[kenny_j]

On here myself looking for the best red sauce tomato. Old Chef, I tried San Marzanos and the ones I grew were not great, so the search continues. BUT..... have you tried Orange Banana? Makes an excellent sauce, orange not red. Remove seeds and gel for a milder flavor. Or leave in for a stronger one. I was making sauce one day from canned OB.s when a local chef stopped in to buy some plants I had outside for sale in the spring. I found out he was a chef and had him taste the sauce I was heating, no seasonings added as yet, and he was amazed at the flavor. He ended up buying all the OB plants I had, around a dozen.

[MrBig46]

Today I ran out of seeds and among them King Humbert from 1994. I will not test germination until the second half of April. I don't have a place or time yet.
Vladimír

[MrBig46]

I bought a GA3. It cost a lot of money. Does anyone have experience with its use in the germination of old seeds? How should I proceed?
Vladimír

[Old chef]

Originally Posted by kenny_j

On here myself looking for the best red sauce tomato. Old Chef, I tried San Marzanos and the ones I grew were not great, so the search continues. BUT..... have you tried Orange Banana? Makes an excellent sauce, orange not red. Remove seeds and gel for a milder flavor. Or leave in for a stronger one. I was making sauce one day from canned OB.s when a local chef stopped in to buy some plants I had outside for sale in the spring. I found out he was a chef and had him taste the sauce I was heating, no seasonings added as yet, and he was amazed at the flavor. He ended up buying all the OB plants I had, around a dozen.

Sounds great, i will look for some seeds. Thanks for the information

[FarmerShawn]

I'm pretty sure Fedco carries Orange Banana.