Cherry Tomato ‘Tomaccio’

In the quest for the sweetest snack tomato, a novelty variety of cherry tomato is slated to make its gardening debut in the United States in the spring of 2010. Europeans in France and Germany have been growing and enjoying tomato ‘tomaccio’ for several years. The tiny tomato’s credentials are impressive.

Hybrid Tomato Tomaccio

Tomato ‘tomaccio’™ originated at Hishtil Nurseries in Israel as the result of a 12 year breeding program using wild Peruvian tomato species to create the world’s finest, sweetest snack tomato, fresh or dried. The competitive quest for the sweetest cherry tomato has led to such saccharin varieties as ‘Sungold,’ ‘Supersweet 100,’ Sweet Million,’ ‘Sugar Snack’ and ‘Suncherry.’

Raisin Tomato

The gourmet quality snack tomato, referred to as the ‚”raisin tomato,” is grown for its high sugar content. The fruit’s sweetness intensifies when dried. The tomato was bred to dry naturally in clusters cut off the vine. To accelerate the drying tomatoes may be placed in a 100¬∫ F oven for about 3 hours. The sweet dry delicacy is snacked on like other dried fruit. The fresh fruits are ingredients in salads, omelets, pasta, kabobs, tarts and appetizers.

Growing Tomaccio

The vigorous vining plants may be grown in large patio containers or directly in the ground like other tomatoes. With an expected height of 9 feet, ‚”tomaccio’ needs support. Once flowering begins, tomatoes must be gently fastened to a support with cloth or twine ties. Pinching suckers to maintain one central main stem is important to plant health and high fruit production. Early harvesting is recommended for ‘tomaccio’ since fruit flavor has matured by the time these tomatoes turn red.

Promised High-Yield

Will one obtain the promised high-yield of 500 bite-sized tomatoes or 13-18 pounds of fruit per plant? Time will tell. Only a limited number of plants have been released to the public this season through several vegetable plant wholesalers. C. Raker and Sons, a wholesaler in Michigan, has teamed with Hishtil Nurseries to propagate the introduction for the North American market.

Trials of Tomaccio

Members of the Garden Writers Association were among those trialing a six-pack sample of ‘raisin tomatoes’ in their 2009 gardens. The mail-order elves at Raker anticipated a live plant’s shipping needs. Plugs were inside a plastic six-pack cushioned in cardboard and completely immovable no matter if turned upside down, right side up, or sideways. The seven inch tall thick stems were not broken and the dark green leaves were shielded. Soil was moist and remained in peat pots inside each cell.

Tomato lovers across the country will welcome ‘tomaccio,’ the raisin tomato to the garden while chefs test its culinary potentials in the kitchen.