If you’ve ever browsed the tomato section and spotted a deep brownish-red fruit, you might have wondered what is a kumato tomato. This unique dark-skinned variety is more than just a pretty face in the garden; it’s a flavorful and robust tomato with a fascinating story.
Let’s look at what makes them special, how to grow them, and why they might become your new garden favorite.
What Is A Kumato Tomato
The Kumato is a proprietary tomato variety, often described as an “heirloom-like” hybrid. It’s known for its distinctive color, which ranges from greenish-brown to a deep mahogany red when fully ripe.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a GMO. Breeders developed it using traditional cross-pollination techniques over many years. The result is a tomato prized for its exceptional sweetness and complex flavor.
Origin and History
The Kumato was developed by the Syngenta company from a blend of wild and domestic tomato species. Its development focused on achieving a superior balance of sugars and acids.
This gives it that rich, almost smoky sweetness it’s famous for. It’s been a popular commercial variety in Europe for decades and has steadily gained fans in North America and elsewhere.
Appearance and Flavor Profile
You can identify a Kumato by its unique coloring. The skin is a dark olive-brown or reddish-brown, often with green shoulders even when ripe.
The inside flesh is a beautiful green-to-red gradient. Here’s what sets its taste apart:
- Sweetness: Noticeably higher sugar content (Brix level) than many common red tomatoes.
- Acidity: A perfect tangy balance that prevents it from tasting bland.
- Texture: Dense, meaty, and less watery, with fewer seeds.
- Complexity: Many people detect hints of citrus, smokiness, or even a slight salty note.
Nutritional Benefits
Kumato tomatoes pack a strong nutritional punch. Their dark color is a clue to their high antioxidant content, specifically lycopene.
Lycopene is linked to various health benefits, including heart health. They are also a good source of vitamins C and K, potassium, and fiber.
How to Grow Kumato Tomatoes in Your Garden
Growing Kumato tomatoes can be very rewarding. They have a longer growing season than some varieties, but their disease resistance and fantastic flavor make the effort worthwhile.
Starting from Seed or Transplant
Because Kumato is a proprietary variety, seeds are not readily available to home gardeners. You typically need to start with purchased transplants.
You might find them at specialty nurseries or through online garden retailers. If you do find seeds, ensure they’re from a reputable source.
Planting and Site Requirements
Kumato plants need the same core conditions as other tomatoes, with a emphasis on warmth and sun.
- Sunlight: Full sun is non-negotiable. Aim for at least 8 hours of direct light daily.
- Soil: Well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal.
- Planting Time: Transplant outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm.
- Spacing: Give plants plenty of room, about 24-36 inches apart, for good air circulation.
Care and Maintenance
Consistent care is key to a heavy harvest. These plants are indeterminate, meaning they’ll grow and produce fruit all season until frost.
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly at the base of the plant. Avoid wetting the leaves to prevent disease. Inconsistent watering can lead to problems like blossom end rot.
- Support: Use strong stakes, cages, or a trellis system. The fruit can be heavy, and the vines need support.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer at planting. Switch to a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium once flowering begins to encourage fruit set.
- Pruning: You can prune some of the suckers (the shoots that grow in the leaf axils) to improve air flow and direct energy to fruit production, but it’s not strictly necessary.
Common Pests and Problems
Kumato tomatoes have good disease resistance, but they’re not immune to common garden issues. Watch out for:
- Aphids and Whiteflies: Blast them off with water or use insecticidal soap.
- Tomato Hornworms: Hand-pick these large green caterpillars off your plants.
- Early Blight/Fungal Diseases: Water at the soil level, ensure good spacing, and consider mulch to prevent soil splash.
If you notice yellowing leaves at the bottom, remove them promptly to help the plant stay healthy.
Harvesting and Storing Your Kumatos
Knowing when to pick is crucial. Unlike red tomatoes, Kumatos don’t turn a bright color.
Harvest when the fruit has turned a uniform deep brown-red and yields slightly to a gentle squeeze. The green shoulders may remain. They store well at cool room temperature, not in the fridge, as cold damages their flavor and texture.
Using Kumato Tomatoes in the Kitchen
The dense, flavorful flesh of the Kumato makes it incredibly verstile. Its sweetness means you can sometimes use less sugar or other sweeteners in recipes like sauces.
Simple Serving Ideas
Their best flavor is enjoyed fresh and uncomplicated. Try these easy ideas:
- Slice thickly and enjoy alone with a pinch of sea salt.
- Arrange on a caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and basil.
- Chop into salsas or bruschetta for a color and flavor twist.
- Use in sandwiches and burgers where their meaty texture holds up perfectly.
Cooking and Preserving
Kumato tomatoes cook down into a wonderfully rich and complex sauce or soup. Because they are less watery, your sauce will reduce faster.
They are also excellent for slow-roasting to concentrate their sugars even further. You can preserve their taste by making a simple roasted tomato sauce and freezing it.
Kumato vs. Other Tomato Varieties
It’s helpful to see how Kumatos compare to other popular types.
Kumato vs. Cherokee Purple
Both are dark and flavorful, but Cherokee Purple is an heirloom with a more purplish-pink skin and a flatter shape. Its flavor is often described as equally rich but maybe a bit more tart. Cherokee Purple seeds are widely available.
Kumato vs. Common Beefsteak
A standard red beefsteak is larger, juicier, and more acidic. The Kumato is sweeter, denser, and has that distinct smoky note that a typical beefsteak lacks. The beefsteak’s water content is much higher.
Kumato vs. Cherry Tomatoes
This is a size and use comparison. Cherry tomatoes are for snacking and salads. A Kumato is a slicing or cooking tomato. While sweet cherry varieties exist, the Kumato offers a more complex adult flavor profile in a larger format.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Kumato tomatoes genetically modified?
No, they are not GMOs. They were created using traditional cross-breeding methods over many plant generations.
Why are my Kumato tomatoes staying green?
They don’t turn bright red. Look for a deep, dark brownish-red color and a slight softness. The green near the stem (shoulders) often remains even when the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.
Can I save seeds from my Kumato tomatoes?
You can save them, but because it’s a hybrid variety, the seeds will not grow true to type. The plants from saved seeds may produce fruit that is different from the parent plant. It’s usually best to buy new transplants each year.
Where can I buy Kumato tomato plants?
Check local garden centers that carry unique varieties. Your best bet is often online nurseries that specialize in tomato plants. They are becoming more common as their popularity grows.
How do you pronounce “Kumato”?
It’s typically pronounced “koo-MAH-toh.”
What gives the Kumato its dark color?
The dark pigmentation comes from high levels of chlorophyll and anthocyanins, which are retained as the fruit ripens, unlike in red tomatoes where chlorophyll breaks down completely.
The Kumato tomato is a stellar choice for any gardener or cook looking for exceptional flavor. Its unique appearance is matched by its sweet, rich taste and reliable growing habits. While sourcing plants requires a little extra effort, the reward of harvesting your own dark, sugary fruits is absolutely worth it. Give this unique dark-skinned variety a spot in your garden this season and taste the difference for yourself.