Creme Brulee Tomato: Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2011

Part of Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2011

I expect this tomato to be sweet, because why else would you name a tomato (or anything really) after a dessert if it was not sweet. I mean it would be just a cruel trick to name a vegetable after a luscious dessert if in fact it was not sweet.

Plus, this is another black tomato. Num-num-num. But, knowing that, I am confused. Black tomatoes do not normally bill themselves as sweet tomatoes. They tend to lean towards the savory end of things. Maybe that is about to change. We will see.

The description from the company I bought this tomato from reads:

This variety produces pretty, globe shaped fruit of medium size. They are a stunning deep caramel color with hints of red and chocolate. The flavor is rich, sweet and full-bodied, and the texture is tender and smooth. An attractive tomato that is great for both home and market.

The Beauty Pageant:

Size: About the size of a baseball.

Shape: Mostly round. Slightly flattened sides.

Color: Deep brick red with deep green shoulders.

The inside:Multi-chambered with very loose gel and large seeds.

Texture: Smooth and silky.

Tasting:

Off the Vine Tasting: It is sweet, but not dessert sweet. More like melon sweet. But it also has the typical black tomato savoriness. It is an interesting combination and I am not certain how I feel about it.

Sliced and Salted Tasting: Salt give it a more distinct melon flavor.

Cooking Thoughts: Certainly a complex tomato flavor, so would be fun for a slice and serve side dish.

Growing Notes:

Healthy enough with medium production.

Will Hanna grow this one again:

Probably not. But not because it is a bad tomato. The flavor just does not sit well with me. It is interesting, complex and certainly unique — just not a combination I want in my tomatoes. I would recommend that others try it though.