Exceptionally high nutritional and taste qualities of dark-colored varieties of tomatoes are recognized throughout the world. But very little is known about cultivating this crop. Is it possible to get the seeds from the purchased fruits suitable for growing in the country or in the garden? "Kumato" is a tomato, which is obtained by hybrid crossing. Collected at home tomato seeds will yield, but its color and flavor will differ from the parent forms. The acquisition of this unusual variety by the world-famous seed company Syngenta took decades.
Features of tomatoes Kumato
Tomatoes grown from licensed seeds, with all the requirements of agricultural technology, at first glance look unusual. Because of the greenish-brown color of the peel, they seem immature. But the taste of them is sweeter than that of ordinary red tomatoes. The first thought that arises at the sight of dark berries: "There were GMOs". According to manufacturers, they did not use genetically modified objects, they used only traditional methods of selection. It's just such an unusual variety - the tomato "Kumato", obtained as a result of the efforts of a group of genetic scientists.
Characteristic of the variety:
- Height of the hybrid plant - 1,50-2,20 m;
- Fruits are solid, greenish and reddish-brown, they produce a strong aroma;
- Diameter of one berry - from 5 to 6 cm;
- The average weight of fruits is 80-120 g;
- The flesh has a red tint, juicy and sweet.
"Kumato" - a tomato on top of the European Olympus vegetables
The future geneticist of the company Syngenta Luis Ortega started developing a new tomato variety in the 1970s. Then the young farmer discovered a phenomenon known to many vegetable growers of arid regions. Tomatoes that receive less water are much denser, darker, and the taste is more intense and sweet. The young man began to experiment with watering, observing the changes in the properties of the plant under water stress. Later Ortega found wild Solanaceae, suitable for creating a new variety. He received tomato Olmeca F1, known under the trade name "Kumato". A tomato with a high content of fructose began to be sold in Europe in 2005. Manufacturers in Spain, Belgium, France, Holland, Turkey, Greece, specially prepared by Syngenta, started the cultivation.
Black tomatoes "Kumato" - sweet and fragrant
The fruits contain a significant content of potassium, magnesium, vitamins A and C. Pulp and juice are low in calories. One large fruit weighing 150 g contains only 31 calories, completely devoid of cholesterol, saturated fat. Not surprisingly, this food product has become so in demand, is in great demand. The cost of tomatoes of the popular variety is higher than the usual red and yellow tomatoes. How to store Kumato? The tomato will not spoil too quickly, if not keep it in the refrigerator. At low temperatures, tomatoes quickly lose flavor and taste. Store whole tomatoes better at room temperature. Sliced fruits should be put in a plastic container with a lid.
"Kumato" and cooking
Tomato "Kumato" is a healthy vegetable with a very pleasant taste. Consume tomatoes of this class in a fresh form. Black tomatoes are not suitable for canning, although they have dense skin and flesh. Breeders did not initially create them for processing. The tomato looks very impressive: an attractive chocolate color, juicy appetizing pulp. You can make of delicious tomato juice. It contains many useful substances, including fructose. Due to its significant content, people with diabetes can consume the product. In addition, juicy tomatoes with a dense texture are ideal for making different salads and sandwiches, decorating dishes. The slices of chopped dark tomatoes in one plate with freshly mozzarella slices look spectacular.
Cultivation of a popular variety
Only recently unusual tomatoes appeared in supermarkets of post-Soviet countries. Before that, black tomatoes were sold only in Europe and America. Sweet taste, due to a significant content of glucose, is characteristic for fully ripened fruit. They have a slightly greenish tinge. If on sale tomatoes come a little immature, then quickly "reach". "Kumato" - tomatoes, seeds of which can not be found on the open market. This is the policy of Syngenta. A delicatessen vegetable must be grown from seed material obtained by hybrid hybridization of parental forms. Without this manipulation, generations may not inherit the attributes of a variety. In order not to "spray" and not replicate it, Syngenta trusts the production of tomatoes "Kumato" to selected licensed companies. Recently, competitors have appeared in tomatoes of this sort. Many manufacturers are engaged in selection and development of new dark-colored varieties of tomatoes, which are in demand among consumers.