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The Indigo Rose cherry tomato has skin that is glossy and smooth, and the fruit has the archetypal cherry tomato shape and size, however its crown is covered by a unique deep-purple, burgundy glow. The lower half of the fruit, and areas of the tomato hidden by leaves, will be orange-red in color, as the purple pigment of anthocyanin is produced only in those areas that are exposed to sunlight. If you were to pick an Indigo Rose and expose the non-purple areas to sunlight, the purple skin-color would form within a week. The Indigo Rose is fragrant, with notes of paprika and smoke, and its flesh is both meaty and succulent, as its seeds burst in the mouth with acidity and the flesh counters with sweetness and depth. Indigo Rose plants are open-pollinated, and produce a heavy crop whether they are planted in pots or a traditional garden. Even though they are more compact than other indeterminate tomato varieties, the plants do benefit from staking, and they show good resistance to fungal disease and blights.
Seasons/Availability
Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes are available in the summer.
Current Facts
All tomatoes are members of the Solanacea, or nightshade, family, along with the potato, eggplant and tobacco. The Indigo Rose cherry tomato is a natural hybrid containing genes from the wild species Solanum lycopersicoides S. chilense and S. cheesemanii, which contain anthocyanin, the water-soluble pigment found in purple fruits, as well as genes from cultivated species that are known for possessing good flavor attributes and high fruit quality.
Nutritional Value
The purple skin of the Indigo Rose boasts high levels of anthocyanins, disease fighting compounds that could help fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and slow the aging process. Research suggests that anthocyanins have strong healing properties, however it is still unknown how the anthocyanins will express themselves in the fruit and if they will translate into health benefits when consumed.
Applications
Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes are great for fresh eating, but can also easily replace cherry tomatoes in any recipe, either hot or cold. Raw Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes are exemplary in salads and fresh salsas, or they can even be cooked and processed to make compotes and jams, or blanched and pureed for soups and granitas. Like other cherry tomato varieties, Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes pair wonderfully with citrus, especially lemon and lime, mild and bitter salad greens, olive oil, vinaigrettes, young and milky cheeses, eggs, cream, hazelnuts, pine nuts, avocados, basil, pineapple, mint, cilantro, and seafood, such as scallops, shrimp, crab and fish, or grilled and roasted meats and poultry. Store Indio Rose tomatoes at room temperature until ripe, approximately two or three days, and away from direct sunlight until ready to use. Refrigeration can then be used to slow the process of decay and keep tomatoes from ripening further. Bring refrigerated tomatoes to room temperature before serving them raw.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Indigo Rose cherry tomato was bred in the United States specifically for its antioxidant potential, and it is the first improved tomato variety in the world that has anthocyanins in its fruit. Until the release of the Indigo Rose, tomatoes grown in home gardens have had the beneficial pigment only in their leaves and stems, which are inedible, and only wild tomato varieties contained anthocyanins in their fruit. Exploring the potential health benefits of the purple anthocyanins in the fruit was actually the most important goal for the breeders at Oregon State University. While other fruits have a higher concentration of anthocyanin, tomatoes are consumed on practically a daily basis in the United States. On average, Americans eat about ninety pounds per person per year of fresh and processed tomatoes. They are second only to potatoes in consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Geography/History
The history of the Indigo Rose cherry tomato is brief and elusive. In the 1960s, breeders from Bulgaria and the United States began the cross-cultivation of wild tomato strains from South America, specifically Chile and Galapagos, with cultivated varieties. No public information is known regarding the timeline of events that brought the Indigo Rose to the to the Oregon State Horticultural Department, where continued research would eventually bring it successfully to the market. Vegetable breeder, Jim Myers, headed the development of Indigo Rose until its release to the public in 2011.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes have a unique color feature influenced by sunlight exposure. The purple pigment, anthocyanin, is produced only in areas of the fruit exposed to light. If non-purple sections are exposed to sunlight after picking, they develop the purple skin tone within a week. The tomatoes have a fragrant profile with notes of paprika and smoke, and a balance of sweet, meaty flesh and acidic, flavorful seeds.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Indigo Rose Cherry Tomatoes from Coleman Family Farms….Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes can be enjoyed fresh in salads or salsas and are versatile for cooking in recipes like soups, compotes, and jams. They pair well with citrus, mild greens, olive oil, cheeses, eggs, nuts, avocado, herbs like basil and mint, seafood, and grilled or roasted meats. Store them at room temperature until ripe and refrigerate only to slow further ripening, bringing them back to room temperature for the best flavor when serving raw.
From Gaytan Family Farm…Indigo Rose Cherry Tomato: This unique tomato variety features a striking purple skin rich in anthocyanins, pigments that may help fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and slow aging. These compounds are found in other purple fruits and are known for their potential disease-fighting properties, though how they manifest health benefits when consumed remains an area of ongoing research.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110
View on Instagram
(619) 295-3172 [email protected]
Indigo Rose Cherry Tomatoes from Coleman Family Farms…Indigo Rose Cherry Tomatoes originated from a cross-cultivation effort that began in the 1960s, blending wild tomato strains from South America, including Chile and Galapagos, with cultivated varieties. The development process culminated at Oregon State Horticultural Department under the guidance of vegetable breeder Jim Myers, leading to their release in 2011.
Coleman Family Farms
Indigo Rose Cherry Tomatoes from Coleman Family Farms…Indigo Rose Cherry Tomatoes were developed in the United States and became the first improved tomato variety with anthocyanins in its fruit. These pigments, previously found only in wild tomatoes and inedible plant parts like stems, were enhanced by Oregon State University breeders for their antioxidant benefits. Americans consume about 90 pounds of fresh and processed tomatoes annually, making this health-focused innovation significant.
Fresno Evergreen Farms
Fresno,CA
+15593854959
Indigo Rose tomato: Its deep-purple glow is due to anthocyanin, formed only in sun-exposed skin. Areas hidden by leaves remain orange-red but turn purple if exposed to sunlight within a week. The fruit offers a fragrant blend of paprika and smoke, with juicy, sweet flesh balancing its acidity. Plants yield generously, thrive in pots or gardens, resist fungal diseases, and benefit from staking despite their compact size.
SpecialtyProduce
1929 Hancock street San Diego CA 92110
6192953172 [email protected]
Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes from Weiser Family Farms…Indigo Rose cherry tomatoes are versatile and can be enjoyed raw in salads and salsas, or cooked for dishes like compotes, jams, soups, and granitas. They pair wonderfully with citrus, olive oil, salad greens, cheeses, nuts, herbs, seafood, and grilled meats. Store them at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate to slow decay. If serving raw from the fridge, let them return to room temperature for optimal flavor.
Weiser Family Farms
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, which includes potatoes, eggplants, and tobacco. The Indigo Rose cherry tomato is a natural hybrid created with genes from wild species like Solanum lycopersicoides and S. chilense, which contain anthocyanins, the pigment responsible for purple coloration in fruits. It also incorporates genes from cultivated tomatoes for enhanced flavor and fruit quality.
Specialty Produce
1929 Hancock Street
View on Instagram
619-295-3172 [email protected]
Indigo Rose cherry tomato: The Indigo Rose cherry tomato was developed through cross-cultivation efforts starting in the 1960s. Wild strains from Chile and the Galapagos Islands were combined with cultivated varieties. Jim Myers, a vegetable breeder at Oregon State University, spearheaded its development, ultimately releasing it to the public in 2011 after extensive research at the university's Horticultural Department.
Coleman Family Farms
Indigo Rose cherry tomato: This variety was developed in the United States and is the first enhanced tomato to contain anthocyanins in its fruit, a pigment previously found only in the inedible leaves and stems of homegrown tomatoes or in wild fruit. Oregon State University breeders prioritized its antioxidant potential, aligning with the fact that Americans consume about ninety pounds of fresh and processed tomatoes per person annually.
is easiest, three is harder.
