Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, 10 lbs : 0
Description/Taste
Cherokee Purple is an heirloom variety of tomatoes. They are larger than most tomatoes, measuring about 13 centimeters in diameter and weighing up to 16 oz, giving them a proportionate weight relative to their size. Their weight, shape, and size are typical of Beefsteak tomatoes. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are rich and dynamic in color, creating an ombre effect as you move up from the bottom to the top of the fruit. The color transitions from dusty pink to purple-red, ending in dark olive-green shoulders near the stem of the tomato. The outer skin of Cherokee Purple tomatoes is smooth, shiny, and speckled with tiny yellow dots. The inside of these tomatoes has deep, red, juicy seed pockets surrounding light red flesh. This flesh makes up a significant amount of the inside of the fruit and has the texture of a ripe peach. The seeds reside within the jell pockets and are a creamy white, typical of most tomato seeds. Cherokee Purple tomatoes have an earthy yet sweet and fruity scent, reflective of its flavor. Their taste is acidic and savory, with a balance of smokiness and sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are available mid-spring through summer and late summer to fall.
Current Facts
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are botanically classified as Solanum lycopersicum and are a member of the nightshade or Solanaceae family, along with more than 2,500 species, such as tobacco and peppers. The Cherokee Purple tomato is classified as both a black tomato and a beefsteak tomato. This means that they are very juicy and large with a robust flavor that lends itself best to fresh eating and has a distinctly dark hue like the Brandywine Black and Black Krim tomatoes. They are an heirloom variety that can very quickly develop and grow on long vines. Because of this, they need to be given lots of space and trellises to grow on.
Nutritional Value
Cherokee Purple tomatoes contain a significant amount of vitamin C, a nutrient essential for collagen production, blood vessels, wound repair, and bone health. They contain a high amount of Vitamin A, which helps promote good eyesight and healthy teeth and skin. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are a good source of potassium and calcium, which are important for heart, kidney, and muscle health. All tomatoes, including this variety, contain an antioxidant called lycopene that may protect against UV damage and could help fend off high cholesterol and heart disease.
Applications
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are entirely edible, including the skin, flesh, and seeds, though the stem and leaves should be disposed of. They are often eaten fresh, though they can be dried, canned, stewed, roasted, or baked into various recipes. Sliced, these tomatoes can be topped with basil, balsamic vinegar, and mozzarella cheese for a caprese salad or used in a burger or sandwich. Cherokee Purple tomatoes can be chopped into a bruschetta mix on top of bread, used as a pizza topping, or grilled with other vegetables. They can be an ingredient in savory tarts, sautéed with pasta, stewed into a heirloom tomato soup, cooked into ketchup, or used as a surprising ingredient in sorbet. Cherokee Purple tomatoes bode well in sauces, chutneys, salsas, and curries. They pair well with the flavors of burrata cheese, garlic, onions, sea salt, black pepper, avocado, cucumber, cilantro, and oregano. To achieve their best taste, Cherokee Purple tomatoes should be stored at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
As their name suggests, Cherokee Purple tomatoes were first cultivated by the Cherokee people. Eventually, John Green of Sevierville, Tennessee, got his hands on the seeds of these tomatoes. In 1990, Green sent a packet of these seeds along with a handwritten note stating that they contained excellent tomatoes, which had been gifted to a woman by her neighbors, presumably the Cherokee Native Americans. This letter was delivered to a retired chemist from Raleigh, North Carolina, named Craig LeHoullier. This chemist had been a member of the Seed Savers Exchange since 1986, a program that connects seed collectors to share and propagate diverse plant varieties. This tomato has become one of the most popular heirloom varieties.
Geography/History
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are native to Tennessee and the surrounding southern regions. They fare well in sunny climates that mimic the states’ warm weather, sunny days, and long growing season. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are a domestic variety not found in the wild because they have been selectively bred. They can be found growing in gardens and on commercial farms for mass production. After its cultivation by the Cherokee Native Americans, these tomatoes grew in popularity and eventually spread to culinary enthusiasts in Europe who valued their slightly acidic, smoky flavor and their ability to blend with many different dishes. Cherokee Purple tomatoes can now be found at farmers markets and specialty grocers or grown in home gardens within the right climate conditions.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcast
