What a treat!

camochef · February 24, 2012

Back on February 1 of this year I bought a sleeve containing 4 Kumato tomatoes. As I'm sure most know, February tomatoes are usually hard as a rock and pretty much tasteless, or what taste they have generally resembles cardboard and not anything we would call a tomato.
You can imagine my surprise when I found these to be very sweet and tasty and extremely juicy!
Those first 4 kumato's where soon history and since then I've bought about 4 more sleeves. Best part...they were lower in price and more to a sleeve. They may not be heirlooms from my garden, but for this time of the year they sure are welcome at my table!
You can Google "Kumato" for the background history on these delightful treasures.
For those that are interested, my best tomato of the year, last year, was Purple Dog Creek. While Kumato may not equal PDC, it sure is nice having in February.
Enjoy!
Camo

OneDahlia · February 24, 2012

Camochef! You're back! You have no idea who I am, lol, but I have really enjoyed reading your reviews on several sites -- they've helped me out a lot. I noticed there weren't any new posts. Thanks for all your reviews, and I'm glad you're posting again.

I bought some Kumato tomatoes a couple days ago and am thoroughly enjoying them too. Had one at breakfast. Yum.

kath · February 24, 2012

Hi, Camo! Good to see your posts today! My neighbor and I have had good luck with these, too. These and Campari (the small ones) help us get through the winter.

kath

camochef · February 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneDahlia

Camochef! You're back! You have no idea who I am, lol, but I have really enjoyed reading your reviews on several sites -- they've helped me out a lot. I noticed there weren't any new posts. Thanks for all your reviews, and I'm glad you're posting again.

I bought some Kumato tomatoes a couple days ago and am thoroughly enjoying them too. Had one at breakfast. Yum.

One Dahlia,
Thanks so much for your kind words. I hope your enjoying those Kumato's, I just wish they were a little larger.

Not sure how long I'll be able to continue posting as my computer's on its last capacitor. Might be awhile yet before I can replace it. I cannot receive or send e-mails but you can always reach me through PM's if you need any help. I also post over on Garretts site when I can.

Good luck this gardening season! Enjoy!
Camo

camochef · February 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by kath

Hi, Camo! Good to see your posts today! My neighbor and I have had good luck with these, too. These and Campari (the small ones) help us get through the winter.

kath

Kath,
Thanks, Unfamiliar with Campari, but not sure I'd like to go smaller than the Kumato's If anything I'd prefer larger and perhaps a bit thinner skin, but like I said, for February...
Enjoy!
Camo

kath · February 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by camochef

Kath,
Thanks, Unfamiliar with Campari, but not sure I'd like to go smaller than the Kumato's If anything I'd prefer larger and perhaps a bit thinner skin, but like I said, for February...
Enjoy!
Camo

The Camparis that we like are a bit smaller than the Kumatos and I know what you mean if you want to use it as a slicer, but desperate times call for desperate measures, so in winter we've been known to halve cherry tomatoes for sandwiches.

The prices of the Camparis seem to have come down this year, but Kumatos are about $5 for a sleeve!

P.S. DH is going by a Giant and another market tomorrow and is going to check them out.

P.P.S. Giant is charging $3.99 and Walmart has them for $1.99 around here.

lurley · February 24, 2012

I had good luck last week with an Ugly Ripe brand tomato from our local Giant Eagle grocery store, it actually had some flavor!

tam91 · February 24, 2012

Now I don't have to feel like the "lone ranger" - someone besides me likes the Kumatos.
Campari I have never cared for honestly, just seem sort of acidic without too much flavor. But I'd sure love to find some more Kumatos.

roamwhereiwant2 · February 24, 2012

Good to see you posting, Camo.

You know, I think my problem with Kumato is not Kumato's fault. The grocery stores in my area insist on keeping tomatoes in the fridge and some even chill them in the produce section. What a shame.

barefootgardener · February 24, 2012

Hi Camo, glad to see your posting again!! Missed you and your posts..

I am soo glad you loved the Purple Dog Creek.. It is one of my favorites for taste, ripeness and production. It is a beauty of a tomato. I was happy to share seeds with you so you could try it!

As for the Kumato, I have yet to try it! I have tried the Campari once, a month ago or so, and found it lacking in flavor. We eat very few ripe tomatoes from grocery stores this time of year..

Ginny

janezee · February 24, 2012

I saw Kumatoes at Trader Joe's recently. If one has it, they all have it in our area.

augiedog55 · February 24, 2012

just got back from the store. they had kumotos so i bought a sleave. for a store bought tomato in the winter they tasted great. i'd give 3.50 for another sleeve.

February 24, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by lurley

I had good luck last week with an Ugly Ripe brand tomato from our local Giant Eagle grocery store, it actually had some flavor!

What are you doing girl! Are you trying to give grocery store tomatoes a good reputation?

Bad Lurley!

ddsack · February 24, 2012

Kumatos have finally made it to northern Minnesota! Was surprised to see them for the first time at Walmart! Can't remember the price, but it was very competitive with the hard pale reds. Nice looking dark color, flavor had a nice acid tang to it, much better than other winter store tomatoes, though of course not up to home grown summer heirlooms.

roper2008 · February 24, 2012

I have seen Kumato's at Trader's Joe. They always too soft, like they are over ripe.
That's why I never purchased them. I'll check them out again next time I go.

February 24, 2012	#1
camochef Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 707	What a treat! Back on February 1 of this year I bought a sleeve containing 4 Kumato tomatoes. As I'm sure most know, February tomatoes are usually hard as a rock and pretty much tasteless, or what taste they have generally resembles cardboard and not anything we would call a tomato. You can imagine my surprise when I found these to be very sweet and tasty and extremely juicy! Those first 4 kumato's where soon history and since then I've bought about 4 more sleeves. Best part...they were lower in price and more to a sleeve. They may not be heirlooms from my garden, but for this time of the year they sure are welcome at my table! You can Google "Kumato" for the background history on these delightful treasures. For those that are interested, my best tomato of the year, last year, was Purple Dog Creek. While Kumato may not equal PDC, it sure is nice having in February. Enjoy! Camo

February 24, 2012	#8
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	Now I don't have to feel like the "lone ranger" - someone besides me likes the Kumatos. Campari I have never cared for honestly, just seem sort of acidic without too much flavor. But I'd sure love to find some more Kumatos. __________________ Tracy

February 24, 2012	#14
ddsack Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern Minnesota - zone 3 Posts: 3,231	Kumatos have finally made it to northern Minnesota! Was surprised to see them for the first time at Walmart! Can't remember the price, but it was very competitive with the hard pale reds. Nice looking dark color, flavor had a nice acid tang to it, much better than other winter store tomatoes, though of course not up to home grown summer heirlooms. __________________ Dee **************

February 24, 2012	#2
OneDahlia Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: 7a NO. VA. Posts: 202	Camochef! You're back! You have no idea who I am, lol, but I have really enjoyed reading your reviews on several sites -- they've helped me out a lot. I noticed there weren't any new posts. Thanks for all your reviews, and I'm glad you're posting again. I bought some Kumato tomatoes a couple days ago and am thoroughly enjoying them too. Had one at breakfast. Yum.

February 24, 2012	#3
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	Hi, Camo! Good to see your posts today! My neighbor and I have had good luck with these, too. These and Campari (the small ones) help us get through the winter. kath

February 24, 2012	#7
lurley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 741	I had good luck last week with an Ugly Ripe brand tomato from our local Giant Eagle grocery store, it actually had some flavor!

February 24, 2012	#9
roamwhereiwant2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lawrenceville, GA, 7b Posts: 130	Good to see you posting, Camo. You know, I think my problem with Kumato is not Kumato's fault. The grocery stores in my area insist on keeping tomatoes in the fridge and some even chill them in the produce section. What a shame.

February 24, 2012	#10
barefootgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Zone 4b Posts: 1,291	Hi Camo, glad to see your posting again!! Missed you and your posts.. I am soo glad you loved the Purple Dog Creek.. It is one of my favorites for taste, ripeness and production. It is a beauty of a tomato. I was happy to share seeds with you so you could try it! As for the Kumato, I have yet to try it! I have tried the Campari once, a month ago or so, and found it lacking in flavor. We eat very few ripe tomatoes from grocery stores this time of year.. Ginny

February 24, 2012	#11
janezee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5 Posts: 931	I saw Kumatoes at Trader Joe's recently. If one has it, they all have it in our area.

February 24, 2012	#12
augiedog55 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: oak grove mo Posts: 406	just got back from the store. they had kumotos so i bought a sleave. for a store bought tomato in the winter they tasted great. i'd give 3.50 for another sleeve.

February 24, 2012	#15
roper2008 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia Bch, VA (7b) Posts: 1,337	I have seen Kumato's at Trader's Joe. They always too soft, like they are over ripe. That's why I never purchased them. I'll check them out again next time I go.