Pink Bumblebee Tomato
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Pink Bumblebee tomatoes are small, cherry tomatoes that measure about 2.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter and weigh around 15 grams. They have a rounded oval shape and bright pink-red skin with faint yellow and orange stripes that run lengthwise along the tomato's surface. Their thin skin is smooth, firm, and crack-resistant yet easy to break down when bitten into. The variety has a juicy red flesh with a translucent and glossy appearance due to the gel pockets within. These pockets are typically structured into two segments filled with small white seeds. Pink Bumblebee tomatoes have an exceptionally sweet and smooth taste, balanced with tangy and tart notes.
Seasons/Availability
Pink bumblebee tomatoes are available in the summer and fall.
Current Facts
The botanical name for Pink Bumblee tomatoes is Solanum Lycopersicum and they are from the Solanaceae family. There are multiple types of Bumblebee tomatoes distinctly known for their striped appearance and sweet taste. These include the Pink, Purple, and Sunrise Bumblebee. All of these cultivars were developed by a breeder at Artisan Seeds Company named Fred Hempel. He also created the Blush, Lucky Tiger, Green Tiger, Pink Tiger, and many other varieties of cherry tomatoes. Pink Bumblebees produce fruit over a long period of time and may require staking in order to support their vigorous vine growth. This variety may also be grown in greenhouses or under cover, particularly in climates that do not provide enough sun and heat.
Nutritional Value
Pink Bumblebee tomatoes contain vitamin A, a nutrient that supports healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. One serving provides 61% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which promotes collagen production, mental health, and iron absorption. They are rich in carotenoids like beta-carotene, which provide tomatoes with their vibrant color and prevent free radical damage. Like all tomatoes, this variety is a source of lycopene, contributing to heart health. Pink Bumblebee tomatoes have dietary fiber to improve digestion, support a healthy gut, and prevent overeating by increasing feelings of fullness. The potassium content in these tomatoes benefits the nervous system and regulates fluid balance, while their phosphorus content contributes to energy production, bone health, cell growth and repair, kidney function, and metabolism.
Applications
Pink Bumblebee tomatoes can be eaten fresh, roasted, cooked, or fermented. They are ideal for fresh salads and appetizers, pairing well with ingredients like basil, mozzarella, and balsamic vinegar. They can be roasted and paired with cheeses and toasted bread, mixed into a Shakshuka dish with feta and mozzarella, or used in pasta recipes like spaghetti, ravioli, and puttanesca. This variety serves as a complementary topping for proteins like roasted chicken, tilapia, cod, halibut, trout, mussels, and chorizo. They can be tossed into an omelet, used as an ingredient in focaccia bread, mixed into soups and stews, or sweetened with caramelized onions for a tomato cobbler. Pink Bumblebee tomatoes pair well with strawberries, beets, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, cannellini beans, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, eggplant, capers, pesto, Swiss chard, corn, green beans, roasted squash, red pepper flakes, Gruyere cheese, ginger, and cumin. An overabundance of harvested Pink Bumblebee tomatoes can be frozen and stored for later in one-gallon freezer bags.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Pink Bumblebee tomatoes were developed by Artisan Seeds, a company founded by Dr. Fred Hemple. He was a plant biologist and food enthusiast who quit his corporate job to pursue a life of cultivating tomatoes. Fred started off by collecting a variety of forgotten heirloom tomato seeds and crossbreeding them, selecting the best offspring to further breed. After a long series of trials, he created a collection of tomato breeding material called the Artisan line that formed the basis of all hybrid breeds he would go on to create, including the Pink Bumblebee tomato.
Geography/History
Pink Bumblebee tomatoes were developed in 2012 by Artisan Seeds at the Baia Nicchia Farm in California. As a cultivated hybrid variety, they are generally produced by commercial farmers and home gardeners. They grow in climates with full sun exposure. This variety has spread in popularity as cherry tomato seeds have been saved and passed down for generations and bred into multiple varieties that interest tomato enthusiasts and farmers alike. Pink Bumblebee tomatoes are a relatively obscure breed that may be found at select farmers’ markets, in specialty stores, or grown from seeds in gardens.
