Tomato 'Tschernij Prince/Black Prince' - The noble aristocrat from Siberia

The "Black Prince" is one of the most famous Russian heirloom varieties and a must-have for lovers of dark flesh tomatoes. It combines the robustness of its Siberian home with an exclusive, sweet-spicy aroma.

• Taste: An experience for gourmets! It captivates with a profound, sweet-spicy aroma and a characteristic, slightly smoky note. Its flesh is buttery soft and extremely juicy – it practically melts in your mouth.

• Growth: This indeterminate tomato grows vigorously and usually reaches a height of 1.50 to 1.80 meters. The fruits are medium to large (approx. 100–300 grams), round to slightly oblate, and ripen to a beautiful deep dark red to chocolate brown, often with characteristic dark green shoulders.

• Special features: Originating from Irkutsk (Siberia), the Chernij Prinz is surprisingly tolerant of cooler temperatures compared to other dark varieties. It reliably sets fruit even in less hot summers, extending the harvesting season in the garden.

• Good to know: The Prince's skin is very thin and delicate. This makes it particularly pleasant in the mouth, but also means it should be handled carefully. It is the perfect "slicing tomato" – ideal for a true gourmet dinner or classic with high-quality oil and salt.

The genuine tomato taste of yesteryear. It's not a supermarket tomato for long transport, but a connoisseur's variety for direct enjoyment from your own garden.

If you are looking for a tomato that doesn't just taste like water, but tells a whole story of aroma and spice, then the Black Prince is your choice. He is the king on every buttered bread!

The "Tomato Steak" from the Black Prince

Ingredients:

• 2 large, firm Chernij Prinz tomatoes

• 1 tbsp clarified butter or ghee (for high heat and nutty flavor)

• 1 sprig of rosemary

• Coarse flaky sea salt & freshly ground pepper

• For a hearty finish: A few shavings of strong mountain cheese or aged Gouda

Preparation:

1. Preparation: Slice the tomatoes into approximately 2 cm thick slices (like real steaks). Only use the middle slices; you can dice the end pieces for a sauce.

2. The pan: Heat the clarified butter in a cast-iron pan (or a heavy non-stick pan) until very hot. Add the rosemary sprig to flavor the fat.

3. Frying: Carefully place the tomato slices in the pan. Important: Do not move them! Sear for about 90 seconds per side until they are slightly darkened (caramelized) at the edges but still have structure in the center.

4. Seasoning: Only season after flipping with coarse salt and plenty of pepper.

5. Serving: Place the hot slices on a plate and immediately grate the cheese over them so it melts slightly.

Why exactly this recipe for the Prince?

• Smoky aroma: The dark pigments of this variety develop a unique, spicy depth when seared, which red tomatoes do not possess.

• Texture: Since the Chernij Prinz is very meaty and has little "goo" (seed content) compared to its size, it doesn't immediately fall apart in the pan.

• Satiety: Due to the thickness of the slices, it feels like a "real" meal.

Put the Black Prince on the grill or in a cast iron pan like a steak. It doesn't need marinade, it brings its own smoky flavor. A real experience for men's nights or as a vegetarian steak alternative!