Clementine: Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2007
Part of Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2007
These were the tomatoes that lead me to a life of crime. They had to be shipped not once, but twice because apparently gourmet French cherry tomatoes are a danger to National Security and the original package sent from the UK was confiscated at the border.
I wanted to try these after Rebsie at Daughter of the Soil posted about them. They just looked magical. And she had such a high opinion of them, I figured what could go wrong? How was I supposed to know that NOWHERE in the U.S. are these puppies sold. So Hanna had to go breakin’ the law, breakin’ the law to get some.
The description from the company I bought it from reads:
Yellow-orange tomato the size of a small plum. The sourish taste reminds one of citrus fruit. 48 seeds
The Beauty Pageant:
Size: These are the size of marbles. To tell the truth, I was surprised. The description from the company said “small plums”. Either the translation from the Queen’s English to US English was a bit wonky or the woman who wrote the description has a husband with a serious “performance” issue that she is blissfully unaware of.
Shape: Round. Cute little round balls.
The inside: These are a nice golden color with tiny little seeds inside. The walls are thing but in a tomato this small, what can you expect. The really pretty thing about these though are the fact that they are translucent. You can make out the veining within the tomato and if you hold it up to the light, you can make out the seed chambers inside. What this does is makes the tomato almost seem to glow. Outside, in the right light, I swear they look like little lights on the tomato plant.
Texture: A little on the seedy side. It is hard not to be like that when the tomato is this small.
Tasting:
Off the Vine Tasting: Definitely citrusy. The gel is on the sour side but once that flavor passes, the meat is sugar sweet.
Sliced and Salted Tasting: Salt almost completely eliminates the sourness of the gel. You are left with a pleasing orangey sweet flavor with a nice background of tomato flavor.
Cooking Thoughts: No doubt that these are salad tomatoes. Not just salad tomatoes but gourmet salad tomatoes. A salad with some kind of salty cheese in it to really highlight the nice flavor. Not to mention that they would just look fabulous.
Growing Notes:
Prolific is an understatement with this tomato. The tomatoes grow in big, almost flower like clusters. There are probably around 2 dozen to a cluster. The plant is healthy and about 5 feet tall. No problems and is doing surprisingly well considering that the two plants next to it have died of wilt.
Will Hanna grow this one again:
Distinct possibility. It is a little smaller than I like, but it does taste nice (for a cherry) and looks damn pretty. At the very least I will be collecting seeds for trading. Since this is not available here in the US (as far as I could find), anyone who would like some, please feel free to contact me and I will send you some seeds. No trade or SASE required.
Well, you’ve inspired me! I’m going to keep my eyes out for this one in future, and I don’t have to worry about Customs. Keep ’em coming, I’m loving all your reviews.
Ellie
They do look lovely. And there are few things nicer than a good tomato. I know because I spent an insane amount of money this weekend to get some heirloom tomatoes at the farmer’s market, and sadly ate the last one yesterday. Now I can’t wait for next weekend where I will buy far more than I did last.
Cheers!
Hey Hanna,
These look fabulous. I’m using your list to pick my tomatoes for next year.
We just returned from vacation (which explains the long absence from Bumblebee Garden), where I found some Cherokee Purple tomatoes at the local farmers market. Although I had brought dozens of my own tomatoes to the lake house where we were staying, I couldn’t resist trying these. I have to say, they were fabulous. I’m adding Cherokee Purple tomatoes to my seed buying frenzy for next spring.
Robin (Bumblebee)
Recently found your blog, absolutely love it 🙂
This year we tried to grow tomatoes in a pot. We got a few off the plant, but it grew a whole lot taller than the seedling stick said. I think our pot was too small too. Next year I think we’ll try a different type haha
Love all the info you post with the photos, thanks 🙂
LOL Can’t believe your tomatoes were stopped at the border. They look delicious.
Ellie – Lucky you! Silly customs. Thanks for stopping by. Glad the reviews are helpful.
almost vegetarian – the heirlooms are addictive. They vary so much in flavor, like wine down. You just have to try them all.
Robin (Bumblebee) – Gald you are back! I hope you had a nice vacation. Cherokee Purples are the tomatoes that got me hooked on heirlooms. They are just a great tomato.
meowy – Thanks for stopping by! If you are growing tomatoes in pots, look for bush varieties of tomatoes. They grow in pots better and don’t need as much staking.
Felicia – I was in shock myself. This is where our tax money goes. 😉
Yummy is right! Thanks for the plant, been enjoying the fruits but haven’t said thank you. These are gems, and very fun!
Leslie – You are welcome! Anytime. 🙂
I just stumbled across this blog recently, and I love it! And Robin, I’m using her list too, 🙂 Not that I’m likely to actually acto on that…but still. I like the sound of these tomatoes, and it would be nice to get some variety, as I’ve only grown grape tomatoes as far as “cherries” go.