These are Japanese Trifele Black, Yellow and Red tomatoes. In spite of the name, these tomatoes come from Russia. Apparently a scientist involved in the development of these tomatoes was Japanese. At their largest, the red ones are about 5cm wide and the others 2-3cm.
The black version is available from a number of seed companies now, and have become a popular tomato to grow. Just out of curiosity, I tracked down the red and yellow versions from a seed saver in Sweden and planted them too. I also got an orange version from a seed saver in Belarus, but it came too late for planting this year. Perhaps next year I’ll give it a try.
Green spots and uneven ripening seems to be a common trait of these tomatoes. At first I thought it was intentional, but now I realize it’s more of a problem than a feature. This isn’t as much of a problem with the black version.
The flavor of the black version is really excellent. It has a very complex taste that’s a little on the sweet side, but there’s plenty of acidic taste too. Rumor has it this is Raymond Blanc’s favorite tomato. For those reading this from outside of the UK, Raymond Blanc is a French born TV celebrity chef who owns a chain of restaurants in the UK.
At best I would say the yellow one is uninteresting. The plant is the earliest of the bunch, and probably the most prolific. The plant is also a nice compact size.
The red one is not nice. The flesh was very mealy and tasteless. Perhaps this is due in part to the uneven ripening, so perhaps after I’ve had a chance to let some others get riper I will have a more positive impression.
I’ll certainly grow the black one again!
I’ll make a note of the black tomato – I’m looking to grow one of that colour again but those I’ve grown in the past have been very low in acidity and rather bland. Same goes for yellow and most green ones.
Thanks for your offer Patrick I’ll email after November. I used to grow lots of different tomatoes but for the last 5 years blight has badly affected outdoor ones. I still grow some outdoors but I depend on a restricted number of greenhouse plants for a guaranteed crop. This is why flavour is so important- but I still prefer to grow interesting varieties.
I’m with you easygardener. If something doesn’t have the best taste you can find, there’s no point in growing it! That is unless there is some other reason it’s interesting; like productivity, appearance, disease resistance and so on. Above all, taste is the most important.
If you are looking for blight resistant tomatoes, you might consider wild or current varieties. My favorite is Matt’s Wild Cherry. These varieties can mostly be grown outside, with few problems. It’s only when the blight gets really bad that they get it and die.
The down side with wild/current tomatoes is they tend to be a little boring.
Ah, thank you for this! I’ve planted several of the black variety, knowing very little about it. They’re still green, so we’re still waiting to taste them.
I am fascinated by the leaves, as they are much different in shape from other tomatoes.
Interesting to see your comments on the red and yellow vars. The black (thanks for sharing your Black Japenese Trifele seeds with me) are coming out great. Good taste (though I personally think Noir de Crimee are a better black variety taste wise)and prolific. I think I may have been the source of the Raymond Blanc rumour, it was his favourite of the varieties grown in his kitchen garden a couple of years back, so just to qualify not his favourite of all time but just of that season.
Please could someone tell me where I can buy or swap these unusual seeds? (esp. the black Japanese trifele tomato)
thanks
Jan
Hi all;)
This year I’m growing the black trifeles for the first time(after seeing R.Blanc on tv tasting toms at his gardens in 2008)
Its June 8th today & my first tom has appeared.
They are in a homemade plastic greehouse at my plots in Cardiff & I can’t wait to taste them!!
I’m growing 9 plants in upright bags(3 in ea) of fresh homemade compost. They were started indoors back in Feb & are over 5ft tall now & still rambling away:)
I’ll have seeds available if anyone wants some to try?
You can contact me through my website!
Bye…J
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the comment and good luck with the tomatoes!