Bosque Bumblebee Tomatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Bosque Bumblebees are an heirloom variety of tomatoes. They're slightly larger than cherry tomatoes, with a circumference of about 5 centimeters, and weigh between 1 to 2 ounces. Mostly round but sometimes a bit oblong, these tomatoes have a unique outer coloring: bright yellow with dark blue marbled shoulders that turn nearly black toward the stem. The outer surface of Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes is smooth and when cut open, reveals a juicy, bright yellow flesh filled with gel capsules that contain its seeds. Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes have a fresh, earthy scent with sweet and fruity undertones. The flesh offers a sweet, buttery flavor with hints of citrus and a slight sourness, while the firm, meaty skin provides a nice contrast to the juicy interior.
Seasons/Availability
Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are harvested from July to September.
Current Facts
Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes share the botanical name Solanum lycopersicum with all other tomato varieties. They belong to the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which also includes potatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers. Another name for Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes is the Purple Yellow Light Bulb. This variety is a created heirloom, stabilized after intentional cross-pollination, and is considered an open-pollinated cultivar, meaning that saved seeds will reproduce plants identical to its parents. Bosque Bumblebee should not be confused with Bosque Blue, another vibrant tomato variety with a dark purple-blue hue. Both varieties were developed by J & L Gardens in New Mexico, though Bosque Bumblebees were introduced three years after Bosque Blue. Bosque Bumblebee is a cross between Amy's Sugar Gem, a red heirloom tomato, and OSU Blue, a variety developed at Oregon State University. The sturdy, vining Bosque Bumblebee tomato plants can grow almost 2 meters high and produce lots of round fruits throughout the season.
Nutritional Value
Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes naturally contain high levels of anthocyanins, water-soluble pigments also found in blueberries, pomegranates, and red onions. Anthocyanins give the tomatoes their blue-purple color and may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, decrease inflammation, support heart function, improve cognitive function, and influence fat accumulation and metabolism. Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and lycopene, another powerful antioxidant linked to cancer prevention, lower cholesterol, and better skin, eye, and bone health. Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy digestive tract, and potassium, which is essential for proper heart and muscle function.
Applications
Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes can be enjoyed raw, cooked, canned, or blended. Fresh Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are perfect for snacking on their own or chopped up and tossed into salads. They make a good addition to a charcuterie plate with meats, olives, and cheeses like mozzarella, feta, parmesan, burrata, and goat cheese. Roasted with olive oil and garlic, they can top pizzas or crostini, be used in paninis and omelets, or placed on top of a fish or steak entree. They pair well with many types of cuisine, including Mediterranean, Italian, and French. Chop them up for bruschetta or add them to a fresh salsa with ingredients like pineapple, mint, and cilantro. They can even be used in cocktails like Bloody Marys. To preserve fresh Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes, can them with spices like oregano and basil. These tomatoes pair well with flavors like mushrooms, parsley, citrus, rice, avocados, onions, bacon, roasted meat, and poultry. Store Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate to last up to two weeks.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Blue tomatoes like the Bosque Bumblebee have been specially bred to contain high levels of anthocyanins, antioxidants found in many blue, purple, or red fruits and vegetables. These compounds are known for their potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Developed by J&L Gardens in 2014, Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are a result of selective breeding, focusing on traits such as flavor, color, size, and disease resistance. Unlike modern commercial tomatoes, which are often bred for durability and shelf life at the expense of taste, J&L Gardens focuses on preserving and enhancing the rich, complex flavors of heirloom tomatoes. The Bosque Bumblebee is prized for its unique blue-purple and yellow coloring, as well as its sweet and juicy flavor. J&L Gardens has been cultivating unique artisan varieties in the upper Rio Grande river valley near Espanola, New Mexico, since the late 1980s.
Geography/History
Though they were first developed in New Mexico, Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes aren't native to any specific place because they were created through selective breeding. These tomatoes thrive in warm climates with plenty of sunlight, which is essential for their growth and unique coloring. The dynamic blue hues tend to be darkest when grown in slightly cooler weather while still receiving full sunlight. This combination enhances the anthocyanin pigmentation, leading to richer and more vibrant colors. Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are quite durable, capable of withstanding hail, drought, and even pests like worms. For planting, wait until soil temperatures are warm and nighttime temperatures are well above freezing. They are grown in greenhouses and gardens, but not in the wild. Their unique blue-purple and yellow coloring has made them popular among those seeking exotic produce. But since Bosque Bumblebee tomatoes are still relatively rare, they are most likely to be found at farmers' markets and specialty grocery stores.
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