Pink or Purple Heirloom Tomatoes
Growing Antique Tomato Plants with Rose or Wine Colored Fruit
Apr 5, 2007
Pink tomatoes have the second lowest acid content of all tomatoes so are very popular with gardeners who struggle with reflux or heartburn problems. And of course, many gardeners swear by the wonderful flavor of these uniquely colored antique tomatoes.
Each tomato is listed with the approximate number of days to maturity from time of transplanting, as well as a description of the fruit size, color and common uses. Often with heirloom tomato plants they have a bit of history which will be included whenever possible. These heirloom tomatoes are all indeterminate unless otherwise stated.
Amish Salad – 75 days. Small, pink, grape-sized tomatoes grow profusely on this Amish heirloom plant. This plant grows very large and can be trained as a climbing vine that will be full of deliciously sweet “cherry” style tomatoes.
Arkansas Traveler – 80-90 days. A favorite crack-resistant variety developed in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. The large pink fruits have a rich taste and are excellent for slicing.
Black Krim – 80 days. This Russian heirloom produces dark maroon-purple tomatoes that are highly attractive. They are also juicy, large tomatoes perfect for slicing or eating fresh. The full, tangy flavor makes them a favorite with gourmet chefs.
Bradley – 72 days. An earlier fruiting heirloom, this wilt resistant tomato plant is great in humid climates. Fruit is rosy pink and medium sized.
Brandywine– 85 days. This antique tomato first appeared in catalogs in 1889 and has been popular ever since. Large pink fruits are reported to have “the best taste of any tomato” by many heirloom tomato fans.
Cherokee Purple Tomato – 75-85 days. Always near the top in taste test contests, this is one of the most popular heirloom tomatoes. Documented cultivation since before 1890, this tomato produces 8-12oz fruits with a huge flavor.
Dutchman Tomato – 74-90 days. Huge wine colored tomato grow to 3 lbs! Popular since the 1950’s because of the low acid content and sweet flavor.
Eva Purple Ball – 75 days. A popular heirloom tomato from Germany, this abundantly fruiting plant produces very sweet tomatoes. The fruit is deep pink and about 6 oz in size.
Giant Belgium – 85 days. Another European heirloom this antique tomato produces huge pink tomatoes up to 2 lbs with a low acid content but a very sweet, rich flavor.
Missouri Pink Love Apple – 80 days. An heirloom tomato that can be traced back to the Civil War. A favorite pink fruiting tomato because of the large, tasty fruits.
Omar’s Lebanese – 80 days. A mammoth heirloom from Lebanon this plant produces 3-4lb fruits with a full, sweet taste.
Oxheart Tomato – 86 days. A popular old-fashioned tomato plant that grows very tall. The fruit are 2lb pink tomatoes that are non-acid.
Pruden’s Purple Tomato – 65-72 days. Similar in flavor to Brandywine, this heirloom ripens much earlier making an excellent choice for short growing season zones. Crack-resistant, deep pink or rosy purple fruits grow to be about 1lb in size.
