Black Krim Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 0
Description/Taste
Black Krim Tomatoes are medium-sized, beefsteak-type tomatoes with a diameter ranging from about 8 to 12 centimeters. They are known for their slightly flattened, globe shape and are notably heavy for their size, weighing between eight to twelve ounces. The outer skin of these tomatoes features a gradient from a rust-red base to a brownish-maroon body, capped with greenish-brown shoulders. The skin is typically smooth with a slight thickness, firmer than that of common tomatoes. The more solid parts of the tomato’s flesh maintain a typical tomato red while the juicier areas have a reddish-black hue, similar to its outer color. The juicy interior is structured into several compartments filled with a gel-like substance around the seeds. Black Krim Tomatoes emit a robust and earthy scent with slightly smoky undertones. Upon full ripeness, they release a sweet, slightly salty fragrance, indicative of their unique flavor profile. The taste is significantly more intense and complex than that of generic tomato varieties, marked by a distinctive blend of acidity, tanginess, richness, and subtle sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Black Krim Tomatoes are available in the summer and the fall.
Current Facts
The Black Krim Tomato is from the beefsteak family, botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum. The name "Krim" derives from the Ukrainian word for "Crimea," the region where this variety was first cultivated. Originally developed through a cross between a Beefsteak and a Cherokee Purple Tomato, Black Krim Tomatoes are large, high-yielding, and resistant to disease and cracking. As an heirloom tomato, Black Krims are open-pollinated, ensuring that the seeds produced are nearly exact genetic replicas of their parent plants. To be considered a traditional heirloom, a tomato needs to have been around for about 25 to 50 years, with its seeds passed down through generations—thus earning the "heirloom" title. The Black Krim has gained considerable popularity, particularly on the West Coast and among culinary professionals, celebrated for its flavorful yet well-balanced taste.
Nutritional Value
Like all tomato varieties, Black Krim Tomatoes are beneficial for digestion and gut health due to their fiber content, which may also help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. They are rich in Vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision, skin, and immune function. The Vitamin C in Black Krim Tomatoes helps strengthen the immune system, aids in tissue repair, and improves iron absorption from foods. These tomatoes can help support eye health through their content of lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene, which may protect the eyes from light-induced damage and prevent cataract formation. The distinctive dark purple color of Black Krim Tomatoes is due to its high levels of anthocyanins, potent antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage linked to chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, and age-related disorders. By neutralizing these harmful molecules, anthocyanins may reduce inflammation and enhance cellular health.
Applications
Black Krim Tomatoes can be eaten raw, cooked, roasted, pureed, or juiced. Their rich, slightly salty flavor is ideal for eating fresh or in beverages like Bloody Marys. These tomatoes can be sliced into salads with greens, herbed tomatoes, or burrata. They can be sliced onto a piece of bread and topped with olive oil, basil, balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt. Black Krim Tomatoes make a flavorful addition to sandwiches and burgers. As a darker, slightly sweeter alternative to regular tomatoes, they can be used in soups or sauces. Black Krim Tomatoes pair well with cheeses like mozzarella, goat cheese, feta, and aged cheddar, as well as with meats like steak, chicken, salmon, and shrimp. They complement avocados, cucumbers, eggplants, zucchinis, and toasted breads. Enhance their flavor with basil, thyme, oregano, and smoked paprika. When selecting Black Krim Tomatoes, check for a sweet, fragrant smell at the stem and ensure they aren’t too soft or too hard. Avoid any with dark spots or dried stems, as these are signs of over-ripeness and the beginning of decay. Store Black Krim Tomatoes at room temperature until ripe. Refrigerating them can slow further ripening and decay.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Named after the Isle of Krim near the Crimean Peninsula on the Black Sea, Black Krim Tomatoes reportedly gained broader exposure during the Crimean War in the 1850s, a conflict that brought together troops from various European nations. It is said that soldiers from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Turkey collected the seeds of Black Krim tomatoes, likely drawn to its unique characteristics and rich, salty flavor, which distinguished it from more common tomato varieties. Despite this early spread, the Black Krim tomato remained relatively obscure until the 1990s. At this time, Lars Olov Rosenstrom of Sweden introduced this variety to the Seed Savers Exchange, a non-profit organization founded in the 1970s in Iowa dedicated to the preservation and sharing of heirloom seeds.
Geography/History
Black Krim Tomatoes originated in Crimea, a peninsula in the Black Sea renowned for its agricultural productivity. This region's warm summers create ideal conditions for tomato cultivation. Black Krim Tomatoes thrive in temperate to warm climates due to their heat tolerance. They are characterized as indeterminate plants, which means they grow and produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season until the first frost. Black Krim Tomatoes are a cultivated variety that’s not found in the wild, requiring human care for propagation and typically grown in gardens and on farms. Introduced to the United States in 1990, Black Krim Tomatoes are among the oldest varieties of black tomatoes and were potentially the first black tomato to come to the U.S. They are generally available at natural and organic specialty stores or at farmers' markets from late summer to early fall. With the right sunny conditions, they can also be grown in home gardens.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Black Krim Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Half Baked Harvest |
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Bourbon Caramelized Bacon and Heirloom Tomato BLT |
| Dishin and Dishes |
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The Best Recipe for Black Krim Heirloom Tomatoes |
Podcast
