Last Updated on April 15, 2024 by Real Men Sow
Indigo Rose Black Tomatoes are crossbred from tomatoes grown in Peru and the Galapagos Islands. Their sweet taste is balanced by subtle overtones of plum. You can sow these heavy-cropping fruits with tomato ‘Indigo Rose’ seeds or buy grafted tomatoes. They are both black on the outside but vibrant red inside.
Health Benefits
Lycopene is a carotenoid that’s found in tomatoes and other red fruits, apart from cherries and strawberries. Lycopene, a type of molecule that helps protect your cells from damage, is called an antioxidant. Although black tomatoes have high levels of lycopene and their black skins contain anthocyanins (an antioxidant that is also found in blueberries’ skins). Black tomatoes provide twice the health benefits for your dollar.
Ripening Black Tomatoes
Black tomatoes take longer to ripen because they have a higher antioxidant content than red varieties. It can take up to 93 days after planting before ‘Indigo rose’ reaches peak maturity. This is something that you should consider when planning for this beautiful variety. They look stunning on plates and it’s definitely worth the wait.
Black tomatoes must go through several stages of maturing before they can be picked. Black tomatoes appear green when they first appear on the vine. However, they soon turn black in the sun. They are now as tough as bullets, and not yet ripe enough for picking. The best way to gauge ripening is to feel the fruit and smell it. However, you can also determine how red the tomato turns.
Black tomatoes turn red as they age. This happens at the bottom and then spreads to the top. Although the skin will remain partially black, the more ripe the fruit is, the more sweet the flesh. Pick your tomatoes at the time they reach your desired maturity.
Using Black Tomatoes
Black ‘Indigo rose’ is slightly larger than cherry tomatoes and has high yields. This means you will have plenty of amazing fruit to enjoy. They are versatile and you can use it in both cooked and uncooked dishes.
