Spotlight on ........ Red and Black tomato (AKA Indigo Apple)

Review

This is one of the "black" tomatoes that are selling everywhere. The black is really a gorgeous deep aubergine colour. This one has the grandiose name of Red and Black here in Australia but apparently known as Indigo Apple in the USA (a much nicer name I think).

It is a salad size tomato about the size of a golf ball. It got early blight for me but that might have been due to my underfeeding at first.

It is a good producer without being prolific. You need to be really really patient with this tomato as it takes about 18 weeks from transplant to harvest. It is slow to ripen and it is really important to keep it on the bush for longer - at least a few days after you think you can pick it. The bottom needs to be bright red before you pick it. It is also important to pick it before watering. Both of these will have an impact on the taste and it can be quite bland unless you pick it at the right time. I have red reviews on a lot of "black" tomatoes and this seems to be a common factor.

The black comes out with exposure to the sun. The more sun the tomato gets the "blacker" it becomes. Below you can see a tomato that has been exposed to our really really hot days recently and did not even have the shade of leaves from the bush. It is not ready to pic as you can see green on the bottom.

Cutting

When totally ripe the skin is a little thin and the tomato is juicy and holds together well. It does have a lot of seeds.

Taste

As stated above you must pick this tomato under the right conditions to get the best taste. It has a nice balance of sweet and tang and I rate the taste 8 out of 10.

Will I grow it again?

I think I will put it in next year. It is a pretty little tomato with a nice taste.


Seeds: The Digger's Club