Exceptionally high nutritional and taste qualities of dark-colored tomato varieties are recognized throughout the world. But very little is known about the cultivation of this crop. Is it possible to get seeds from purchased fruits suitable for cultivation in the country or in the garden? Kumato is a tomato obtained by hybrid crossbreeding. Tomato seeds collected at home will yield a crop, but its color and taste will differ from its parental forms. It took decades to produce this unusual variety from the world-famous seed company Syngenta.
Features of Kumato Tomatoes
Tomatoes grown from licensed seeds, in compliance with all the requirements of agricultural technology, at first glance look unusual. Due to the greenish-brown color of the peel, they appear immature. But their taste is sweeter than that of ordinary red tomatoes. The first thought that arises from the appearance of dark berries: "It was not without GMOs." According to manufacturers, they did not use genetically modified objects, they used only traditional
selection methods. It’s just such an unusual variety - the Kumato tomato, obtained as a result of the efforts of a group of genetic scientists.
Variety characteristic:
- the height of the hybrid plant is 1.50-2.20 m;
- fruits are firm, greenish and red-brown in color, emit a strong aroma;
- the diameter of one berry is from 5 to 6 cm;
- the average weight of the fruit is 80-120 g;
- the pulp has a red tint, juicy and sweet.
Kumato - tomato on top of the European Olympus of vegetables
Future Syngenta geneticist Luis Ortega began developing a new tomato variety back in the 1970s. Then the young farmer discovered a phenomenon known to many vegetable growers in arid regions. Tomatoes that receive less water are much denser, darker, and their taste is more intense and sweet. The young man began to experiment with watering, observing changes in the properties of the plant under water stress. Ortega later found wild Solanaceae suitable for creating a new variety. He got a tomato Olmeca F1, known under the trade name "Kumato". High fructose tomatoes began to be sold in Europe in 2005. Manufacturers in Spain, Belgium, France, Holland, Turkey, Greece, specially prepared by Syngenta, began to grow it.
Black Kumato Tomatoes - Sweet and Fragrant
A significant amount of potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and C was found in the fruits. Pulp and juice are characterized by low calorie content. One
large fruit weighing 150 g contains only 31 kcal, completely devoid of cholesterol,
saturated fat. It is not surprising that this food product has become so popular, it is in great demand. The cost of tomatoes of a popular variety is higher than ordinary red and yellow tomatoes. How to store "Kumato"? The tomato will not deteriorate too quickly if you do not keep it in the refrigerator. At low temperatures, tomatoes quickly lose their aroma and taste. It is better to store whole tomatoes at room temperature. Sliced fruits should be put in a plastic container with a lid.
Kumato and cooking
Tomato "Kumato" is a healthy vegetable with a very pleasant taste. Consume fresh tomatoes of this variety. Black tomatoes are unsuitable for canning, although they have a dense skin and pulp. Breeders did not initially create them for processing. The tomato looks very impressive: attractive
chocolate color, juicy appetizing pulp. You can make delicious tomato juice from the fruit. It contains many useful substances, including fructose. Due to its significant content, people with diabetes can consume the product. In addition, juicy tomatoes with a dense texture are ideal for cooking various salads and sandwiches, decorating dishes. Slices of chopped dark tomatoes look spectacular on the same plate with fresh mozzarella sticks.
Growing a Popular Variety
Only recently, unusual tomatoes appeared in supermarkets of post-Soviet countries. Prior to this, black tomatoes were sold only in Europe and America. The sweet taste, due to the significant glucose content, is characteristic of fully ripened fruits. They have a slightly greenish tint. If tomatoes go on sale a little immature, then they quickly “reach”. “Kumato” - tomatoes whose seeds cannot be found in the open market. This is Syngenta's policy. A delicious vegetable must be grown from seed, obtained by hybrid methods of parental cross-breeding. Without this manipulation, generations may not inherit the characteristics of the variety. In order not to “spray” and not to replicate it, Syngenta entrusts the production of Tomato Kumato to selected licensed companies. Recently, competitors have appeared in tomatoes of this variety. Many producers are engaged in the selection and development of new dark-colored tomato varieties that are in demand among consumers.