Chocolate Cherry Tomato

If you’re looking for a tomato that surprises and delights with every bite, you need to grow the chocolate cherry tomato. This little gem offers a sweet and tangy burst that is unlike any other tomato in your garden.

Its name comes from its beautiful, deep red-brown color, not its flavor. But the taste is where it truly shines. The rich, complex sweetness hits you first, followed by a perfect tangy finish. It’s a flavor experience that makes all your gardening effort worth it.

This article will guide you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover how to grow them from seed to harvest, how to care for your plants, and the best ways to enjoy your bounty. Let’s get your garden ready for this exceptional variety.

This variety is an indeterminate cherry tomato, often labeled as “Chocolate Cherry” or “Black Cherry” type. The plants are vigorous vines that can grow over 6 feet tall. They produce long clusters of 1-inch fruits that ripen to a dusky mahogany color.

The unique hue comes from higher levels of anthocyanins, the same antioxidants found in blueberries. This might contribute to there rich, well-balanced taste. They are known for being prolific producers, often yielding fruit right up until the first frost.

Why Choose This Variety for Your Garden?

You should consider these tomatoes for several good reasons. They bring something special to your table and your garden plot.

Exceptional Flavor: The balance of sugar and acid is outstanding, making them a favorite for fresh eating.
High Productivity: A single healthy plant can provide a steady supply for salads and snacks all season.
Visual Interest: The unusual color adds beauty to your garden and makes a stunning presentation in dishes.
Disease Resistance: Many strains show good resistance to common tomato ailments like fusarium wilt.

Starting Your Plants From Seed

Beginning with seeds gives you access to the widest selection of strains. It’s also very satisfying to watch the whole life cycle. Here’s how to do it successfully.

Start your seeds indoors about 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost date. This gives the seedlings a strong head start. You’ll need seed-starting mix, trays, and a good light source.

Step-by-Step Seed Starting

Fill your containers with a moist, sterile seed-starting mix.
Plant two seeds per cell, about 1/4 inch deep. Cover lightly with the mix.
Water gently to settle the soil without disturbing the seeds.
Cover the tray with a plastic dome to retain humidity and place it in a warm spot (70-80°F).
Seeds typically sprout in 5-10 days. Once they do, remove the dome and move the tray to a very bright location, like under grow lights.
Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. A small fan can help strengthen the stems.
When the seedlings get there first true leaves (the second set), thin to one strong plant per cell.
Fertilize weekly with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer once they have a few sets of leaves.

Transplanting to the Garden

Moving your plants outside is a critical step. They need to be hardened off first. This means gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.

Start by placing them in a shaded, sheltered spot for a few hours. Gradually increase their time outside and their exposure to sun and wind. This prevents shock and sunscald.

Choosing the Perfect Spot

Tomatoes demand full sun. Choose a location that gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. The soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter.

Before planting, work in several inches of compost or aged manure into the top foot of soil. This feeds the plants and improves soil structure. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.2-6.8) is ideal.

Wait until all danger of frost has passed and night temperatures stay above 50°F.
Dig a hole deep enough to bury about two-thirds of the seedling’s stem. Tomatoes can develop roots all along there buried stems, creating a stronger plant.
Gently remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole.
Backfill with soil and pat down gently to remove large air pockets.
Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
Space plants about 24-36 inches apart to ensure good air circulation.

Essential Care and Maintenance

Consistent care is the key to a heavy harvest. These plants are not difficult, but they do have specific needs you should meet.

Watering and Feeding

Water deeply and consistently, aiming for about 1-2 inches per week. It’s better to water less frequently but thoroughly, encouraging deep roots. Avoid overhead watering to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.

Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation at the base of the plant. After the first fruits appear, you can begin feeding with a fertilizer higher in potassium to support fruit development. Follow the instructions on your chosen product carefully.

Support and Pruning

As indeterminate vines, Chocolate Cherry tomatoes need strong support. A tall cage or a sturdy trellis system is mandatory. Install it right after planting to avoid damaging roots later.

You can choose to prune to a single or double main stem (suckering). This isn’t strictly necessary for cherries, but it improves air flow and can lead to slightly larger fruits. Simply pinch off the small shoots that form in the crotch between the main stem and branches.

Common Pests and Problems

Keep an eye out for a few typical garden issues. Early detection makes management much easier.

Aphids: Blast them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
Tomato Hornworms: Hand-pick these large green caterpillars off your plants.
Blossom End Rot: Caused by calcium uptake issues often linked to irregular watering. Maintain consistent soil moisture.
Early Blight: Remove affected lower leaves and avoid wetting foliage. Mulch helps prevent soil from splashing onto leaves.

Harvesting and Storing Your Bounty

Knowing when to pick is easy. The fruits are ready when they have turned a deep, uniform brown-red and feel slightly soft to the touch. They should detach easily from the stem with a gentle twist.

For the best flavor, pick them at peak ripeness. Check your plants every day or two during the height of the season. If you have to pick some slightly early, they will often ripen further on a sunny windowsill, but the flavor is best when vine-ripened.

Don’t refrigerate your freshly picked tomatoes! Cold temperatures degrade there texture and flavor. Store them at room temperature out of direct sunlight and use within a few days. For a larger harvest, you can freeze them whole for use in cooked sauces later.

Enjoying Your Harvest

The primary way to enjoy these tomatoes is fresh, straight from the vine. But there versatility extends far beyond snacking. There rich color and flavor can improve many dishes.

Salads: Halve or leave whole in green salads, grain bowls, or caprese salads with fresh mozzarella.
Roasting: Concentrate there sweetness by roasting with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Use on pasta or bruschetta.
Sauces: While unique, they make a wonderfully complex and colorful sauce or soup.
Preserving: They are excellent for making a unique, flavorful jam or chutney.

One simple, fantastic way to use them is in a quick pasta. Just sauté a handful in olive oil until they start to burst, add some fresh basil and garlic, and toss with hot pasta. The sweet and tangy burst from the tomatoes creates its own sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are chocolate cherry tomatoes actually chocolate flavored?
No, the name refers only to there dark, rich color. The flavor is a superb balance of sweet and tangy tomato taste.

How tall do chocolate cherry tomato plants get?
As indeterminate plants, they can easily reach 6-8 feet tall in a full season with proper support.

Can I grow these in a container?
Absolutely. Choose a large pot (at least 5 gallons) with excellent drainage, use high-quality potting mix, and provide a very sturdy cage. Watering will be more frequent.

What’s the difference between Chocolate Cherry and Black Cherry tomatoes?
The names are often used interchangeably, but there can be slight variations between seed suppliers. Generally, they refer to similar dark-brown cherry tomatoes with that signature sweet, rich flavor.

Why are my chocolate cherry tomatoes not turning brown?
They need full sun to develop the full depth of color. Also, ensure you have the correct variety; they start green, then go through a reddish stage before reaching the final mahogany-brown.

Growing chocolate cherry tomatoes is a rewarding project for any gardener. The process from tiny seed to overflowing vines is a joy, and the reward is a fruit with incredible character. That sweet and tangy burst is a true highlight of the summer garden. With the right location, consistent care, and a little patience, you’ll be amazed at the abundance these plants provide. Give them a try this season and see the difference for yourself.