Cocktail Tomato 'Black Cherry' - The Dark Jewel

For those seeking something special, the "Black Cherry" is an absolute must. This variety is an essential for every gourmet gardener. Its deep purple to chocolate-brown fruits are not only visually stunning but also a taste sensation.

• Flavor: Uniquely complex! The Black Cherry offers a perfect harmony of intense sweetness and a spicy, almost smoky depth. It tastes distinctly "more mature" and robust than purely sweet red varieties.

• Growth: A very vital and vigorous indeterminate tomato that easily reaches 2 meters and more. It forms strong shoots and long trusses with countless round fruits, approximately 2–3 cm in size. It is very prolific and bears reliably until the first frost.

• Special Features: Its color is its trademark! The fruits ripen from green to dark red to a rich chocolate-brown-purple. The more sun it gets, the darker and more intense the color and aroma. It is also genetically very stable and robust.

• Good to know: A real eye-catcher in any tomato salad! In combination with the red "Zuckertraube" or yellow varieties, it creates a fantastic play of colors on the plate. The dark coloring also indicates a high content of anthocyanins (secondary plant compounds), which makes it particularly healthy.

Tip: Use the Zuckertraube for pure sweetness and the Black Cherry for spicy depth – together they are the unbeatable duo for any salad!

A small side note: Since the skin of the Black Cherry is quite delicate, it should be harvested promptly when fully ripe to prevent it from bursting in heavy rain.

Recipe: "Dark & Sweet" Gourmet Salad

This salad is a visual highlight and showcases the flavor depth of the Black Cherry compared to regular supermarket tomatoes.

Ingredients:

• 250 g Black Cherry Tomatoes

• 250 g Zuckertrauben (the red contrast!)

• 1 ball of Burrata (or high-quality buffalo mozzarella)

• 1 handful of walnuts (briefly toasted in a pan without fat)

• Fresh basil

• Dressing: 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar (Aceto Balsamico di Modena), 1 tsp honey, salt & pepper.

Preparation:

1. Prepare tomatoes: Wash and halve the tomatoes. Leave some Black Cherries whole so they "burst" in your mouth.

2. Arrange: Spread the red and dark tomatoes mixed on a flat plate.

3. The centerpiece: Place the burrata ball in the middle and carefully tear it open so that the creamy core gently oozes out.

4. The finish: Roughly chop the toasted walnuts and sprinkle them over the salad. Slice the basil into fine strips or artfully scatter whole leaves.

5. Dressing: Vigorously mix the dressing ingredients and drizzle it over the tomatoes (not directly over the cheese) just before serving.

Why this recipe for the Black Cherry?

• The flavor contrast: The Black Cherry has an almost wine-like note. In combination with the honey in the dressing and the earthy walnuts, it creates a taste experience that goes far beyond a standard tomato salad.

• The look: The dark violet-brown of the Black Cherry looks incredibly elegant next to the bright white of the burrata and the light red of the Zuckertraube.

The Black Cherry is the 'red wine tomato' among cocktail varieties. A delight on its own, but with a piece of good cheese and a splash of balsamic, it becomes an absolute star snack.