Kumato tomato

[tam91]

Well I just got some of these at the store - apparently from the same people as Zima. I haven't eaten any yet, will try them out today I'm sure. I'm really excited, to get a "black" in the store - and it says they're ripened on the plant. We'll see.

http://www.sunsetproduce.com/product.../kumato-tomato

http://www.kumato.com/en/Kumato.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumato

Yes, yes, I know - save the seeds

[feldon30]

Ok, that's funny.

I just bought a pack of three Kumato tomatoes here in Copenhagen. They were imported from Spain. No idea what, if any, flavor they will have. $3.25 is not terrible for 3 large tomatoes.

[tam91]

I got a whole pack of them - but I wouldn't really call them large.

OK, now I can't stand it - off the weigh a tomato, and have one for breakfast.

Tatiana's has them listed - sounds like some people have grown them from seed successfully.

[feldon30]

They're a variety selected for greenhouse culture and long shipping. I wonder how they would compare with most of the varieties we usually talk about when grown side-by-side outdoors in a standard garden and eaten ripe.

[tam91]

I think on Tatiana's it said good yield and taste. I'll let you know how the commercial ones taste in a few minutes.

[tam91]

They're right about 4 oz. Very even in size and shape. I'll load up some pictures later.

It's pretty tasty - certainly better than what I can get in the store. My first thought was - Oh! A real tomato. I'd even consider making a bruschetta or something out of them - which I've never considered in winter before.

The skin is tough, kinda chewy. I don't really mind that so much, but a bite without the skin is even better. There was a "core" in the center that was tough, I wouldn't eat that.

So I'm not raving about them as compared to a Black Krim or something from the garden, but I'd sure buy them again.

imo, worth a try growing out, if you have the space.

[amideutch]

I bought a 4 pack of Kumato last week grown in Spain and evidently the seed is provided by a company in Belgium. My intent was to save the seed but after eating one I said "Why Bother".

I can see why folks who have eaten nothing else but store bought red tomatoes might get excited about them if for nothing more than the color of the tomato. My dogs tennis ball probably has more flavor than these tomatoes. Ami

[tam91]

Interesting - my impression is quite different, I thought they tasted pretty good (for winter). And the last tomatoes I ate (other than cherries) were heirlooms from my garden.

They are a bit tough, I'll say that though. I think the gel has more flavor than the flesh.

Mine were grown in Mexico.

I did read that these tomatoes are edible at 3 stages of ripeness - they sell them a bit green, then at the dark brown stage they're supposed to be good for slicing, then they turn dark red before they are overripe and are good for cooking.

Could yours have been closer to the first stage? It says the flavor improves as they ripen.

[carolyn137]

Kumato was developed by Syngenta in Europe and quite a few years ago now they were first introduced in the UK and Australia. They were introduced here in the US a few years ago as Rosso Bruno.

There are tons of links here at Tville and many elsewhere about this variety. The hype that Syngenta first put out about them was just plain ridiculous and I won't even go there.

many folks have grown them and many folks can't stand the taste, and then there are those who say they taste OK but I've never seen anyone say it's a great tasting variety.

Yes, I was sent a couple of fruits of Kumato. No, I didn't like them at all and didn't save any seeds.

[Wi-sunflower]

In my various trades last winter someone sent me seeds of Russo Bruno F-2 seed (at least that's what it was labeled) So now I have Russo Bruno F-3 seed listed on my web site.

BUT, we had "ripe", dark brown RB tomatoes on the table at our field day. While many were raving about many of the other brown/black varieties, absolutely NO ONE even mantioned the RB. I personally tasted it and thought it was quite tasteless, especially compared to the others on that table.

While I wouldn't waste garden space on Kumato/Russo Bruno, the Campari variety is something else.

Personally I don't care for red tomatoes, but hubby eats them all the time. He found some Campari on sale locally and tried them. He said they were quite good compared to the other tomatoes available in the stores right now. I only managed to save a few seeds from them but will grow them out and see how they do.

Carol

[tam91]

Interesting - if mine came out like this grown in a garden, I'd certainly grow different varieties. Maybe they do grow out just the same. But for buying in the store in winter, I do like them.

Now I did not care for the campari tomatoes I ate - I believe I can readily and cheaply get them here, but the time I tasted them, they were watery and very acidic. I guess I should try them again.

Different tastes, or different luck in purchasing I guess.

Carol, if I do try the Campari again, would you like me to send you some seeds?

[Wi-sunflower]

The one that I got the seeds from did seem rather watery to me too.

As far as the acidic goes, I don't know as i don't eat red tomatoes largely because they ARE rather acidic or "bitey". Persoanlly I like the milder, mellow or fruity types myself. But Hubby liked it.

I think I have at least a dozen or so seeds for the Campari so that should be enough for me for this year to grow out.

I did get the Zima last week. Thanks. It will be added to the grow outs this year.

Carol

[tam91]

You're welcome Carol. I like red tomatoes fine, usually. In fact, I don't like tomatoes too mild. However, for me, the campari didn't have lots of taste - just acid. And I didn't care for the watery part. But I should try them again, that was quite a while ago.

Oh, and I should have said - I got all of yours too - thanks so much.

[feldon30]

I've had some decent Campari tomatoes.

[amideutch]

Here is a picture of the tomato package and label. Ami