Humboldt's Wild Tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium var. humboldtii) - Following in Alexander von Humboldt's footsteps with the ancestral tomato

Named after the famous naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, this original wild tomato species (Solanum pimpinellifolium var. humboldtii) comes from the rugged Andes of South America. It is the pure, unadulterated original form of our modern-day tomatoes – and that is exactly what makes it so incredibly valuable for your garden! Anyone who grows classic tomatoes outdoors knows the constant fear of the next summer rain: a few damp, cool days are all it takes for the dreaded late blight to strike many high-yield varieties mercilessly. Furthermore, constant staking and pinching out often turn into real labor.

The "Humboldtii" wild tomato, on the other hand, ignores conventional gardening rules. With it, you aren't bringing a fragile greenhouse flower into your patch that demands an umbrella at every rain shower, but rather an indomitable natural talent. It grows wild, is extremely resistant to disease, and provides you with thousands of sugary-sweet mini tomatoes without any maintenance stress.

Scope of delivery: Per plant in a 7cm pot.

Tracing a legendary expedition

That we can grow this sensational tomato in our gardens today is thanks to one of the most fascinating research expeditions in history. Between 1799 and 1804, the German polymath Alexander von Humboldt, together with botanist Aimé Bonpland, traversed the rugged and climatically unpredictable mountain landscapes of the South American Andes. Among the thousands of plants they discovered and documented for posterity during their arduous journey was this untamed original tomato. Unlike modern varieties that have been trimmed over centuries for flawless appearance and yield, the Humboldtii is still exactly as primitive as it was at the time of its discovery. Because it had to hold its own against harsh winds, cool nights, and sudden downpours in its wild home for millennia, it possesses a genetic robustness that today's cultivated tomatoes can only dream of. You are, therefore, bringing a real piece of living botanical history into your garden bed!

Put an end to the maintenance hassle: Please do not pinch out!

Put the shears away! The absolute highlight of the Humboldtii is its ease of care. While normal vine tomatoes must be laboriously pinched out (suckered), doing so is strictly forbidden with this wild tomato. Every new side shoot means even more blossoms and even more fruit. It grows bushy, sprawling, and with extreme vigor. The leaves are somewhat smaller and finer than those of normal tomatoes, which ensures that they dry off extremely quickly after rain – its natural secret against fungal diseases.

Red pearls full of sweetness

Visually, the Humboldtii provides countless, bright red fruits ranging in size from redcurrants to small cherries (about 1 to 2 centimeters in size). What they lack in size, they make up for a thousand times over in taste. These little berries are true flavor bombs! Because they soak up so much sun, they develop an incredibly intense, fruity-sweet flavor that almost reminds one of chocolates. An absolute snacking sensation that you simply cannot stop eating as you walk by.

A wild growth wonder – You decide how it grows

Since it is not pulled upward on a single stake, the Humboldtii offers you completely new growing possibilities. You can let it simply crawl across the ground (ideally on a thick layer of straw so the fruit stays clean). You can put it in a very large container (30 liters or more) and let it hang picturesquely over the edge. Or you can plant it by a wire fence or a coarse trellis, where it can spread out wildly and bushily.

Off to the kitchen – What to do with your harvest:

• The pure snacking tomato: 90% of these tomatoes won't even make it to the kitchen. They are the perfect, healthy snack for children (and adults) straight from the bush.

• The colorful salad topping: Scattered whole over a fresh green salad, they look like little red gemstones and burst with wonderful sweetness in your mouth.

• Decoration for the lunchbox: Perfect for on the go, as their size means they don't mess or squirt at all when you bite into them.

• The focaccia star: Press them into a light yeast dough – as they bake, they caramelize slightly and impart their intense aroma to the bread.

Recipe tip: Lightning pasta with sautéed wild tomatoes and feta

Since the Humboldtii bears fruit so incredibly heavily, you will often have bowls full of small red pearls in midsummer. This quick weeknight recipe takes advantage of the fact that you don't even have to cut these tomatoes!

Ingredients (for 2 people):

• 250g pasta (e.g., spaghetti or linguine)

• 2-3 large handfuls of Humboldtii wild tomatoes (uncut, simply washed)

• 1 block of feta cheese (approx. 150-200g)

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced thin

• 4 tbsp good olive oil

• 1 splash of pasta water

• Fresh basil

• Sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes

Preparation:

1. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in plenty of salted water until al dente. Before you drain it, be sure to save a cup of the starchy pasta water!

2. Sauté: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the whole wild tomatoes and sauté over medium to high heat for about 4-5 minutes. Do not stir; it is better to shake the pan. The tomatoes should get very hot, until their fine skin bursts and the sweet juice escapes.

3. Add flavor: Add the garlic and chili flakes to the tomatoes and sauté gently for another 1-2 minutes (the garlic must not turn brown, or it will become bitter).

4. Bind the sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the pan with the tomatoes. Add a generous splash of the saved pasta water. Toss everything well until a creamy emulsion forms between the olive oil, tomato juice, and pasta water.

5. Serving: Divide the pasta into deep bowls. Crumble the feta cheese over the top with your fingers (it will melt slightly from the hot pasta). Garnish with fresh basil, an extra drizzle of olive oil, and black pepper.

Put an end to the endless pinching out and the fear of late blight. With the "Humboldtii" wild tomato, you are opting for absolute freedom in the vegetable patch and an indestructible snacking champion that will bring you pure joy for weeks on end.