Cherokee Purple (tomato) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cherokee Purple |
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Cherokee purple is a dusky red with green shoulders when ripe
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| Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) | |
| Maturity | 80 days |
| Type | Heirloom |
| Vine | Indeterminate |
| Plant height | 9 feet |
| Fruit weight | 16 oz |
| Leaf | Regular leaf |
| Color | Dusky red, green shoulders |
| Shape | Beefsteak |
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The Cherokee Purple is a special kind of tomato. It's known for its unique deep, dusky-rose color. When it's ready to eat, it often has a greenish tint near the stem. Inside, it's a rich crimson red, which, combined with its clear skin, gives it that distinctive look. This tomato was one of the first "black" tomatoes, a group known for their darker colors. The Southern Exposure Seed Exchange first offered seeds for the Cherokee Purple in 1993. Since then, it has become a very popular heirloom variety.
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Discovering the Cherokee Purple Tomato
In 1990, a man named John Green from Sevierville, Tennessee sent some seeds to Craig LeHoullier. Craig is an expert in heirloom tomatoes. John told him that these purple tomato seeds came from the Cherokee people and had been around for over 100 years.
Craig LeHoullier decided to name this new tomato "Cherokee Purple." He then shared the seeds with the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (SESE). Jeff McCormack, who owned SESE, wasn't sure about it at first. He thought the tomato "tasted fine, but was kind of ugly." He worried people might not want it.
However, SESE decided to feature the Cherokee Purple in their 1993 seed catalog. Craig also gave seeds to some farmers who sold their produce. One farmer, Alex Hitt from North Carolina, had great success selling the tomatoes. Even though they were described as "looking like a leg bruise," people loved their taste!
In 2014, the Cherokee Purple tomato was recognized as one of the top ten best heirloom tomato varieties by the Seed Savers Exchange. This shows how special and loved this tomato has become.
What Makes Cherokee Purple Tomatoes Special?
Cherokee Purple tomatoes are known for their large, beefsteak shape. They have a thick, juicy texture. Inside, you'll find small seed sections scattered throughout the flesh. The seeds are often surrounded by a green gel, which makes the dark red color of the tomato stand out even more.
Related Tomato Varieties
Did you know that the Cherokee Purple has some relatives?
- In 1995, a new version of the Cherokee Purple appeared in Craig LeHoullier's garden. Its skin color changed, and it was named Cherokee Chocolate. This variety has yellow skin, which gives it a brownish-red color.
- Then, in 1997, another new tomato grew from a Cherokee Chocolate plant in Craig's garden. This one was called Cherokee Green. It's one of those unique tomatoes that stays green even when it's ripe! Its skin turns yellow when it's ready to pick, which helps you know it's ripe.
Enjoying Cherokee Purple Tomatoes
You can usually find Cherokee Purple tomatoes in the summer and fall. They are best eaten fresh. Many people love them in BLT sandwiches and salads. You can also use them to make delicious pizza and pasta sauces.
