Heritage tomato 'Bulgarian Oxheart' - The juicy heavyweight

Do you dream of huge, aromatic tomatoes where a single slice covers your entire piece of bread? Then the heirloom "Bulgarian Oxheart" beefsteak tomato is your ultimate gardening challenge! It’s a true heavyweight and the perfect choice for anyone looking for that genuine, old-fashioned tomato flavor.

Flavor: Gigantic and meaty! The pinkish-red, strikingly heart-shaped fruits grow to be enormous (often between 300 and 800 grams, sometimes even more!). They consist almost entirely of tender, melt-in-the-mouth flesh and have barely any seeds or watery gel. The aroma is incomparable: intense, wonderfully sweet, and with just the right amount of mild acidity typical of time-honored traditional varieties.

Growth: The Bulgarian Oxheart is a classic indeterminate tomato. It grows tall, easily reaching 1.50 to 2 meters. The most important thing for you: You must prune it regularly! Consistently pinch off the small side shoots in the leaf axils so the plant can put all its energy into producing these massive fruits.

Special Features: Don't be alarmed: Oxheart tomatoes naturally have somewhat drooping, delicate foliage that often makes the plant look like it's incredibly thirsty. Don't panic, that's normal! Harvest usually begins in midsummer (mid-early to late), but you are rewarded with fruits so heavy that you often have to hold them with both hands.

Good to Know: Because the fruits become such monsters, this plant needs really good support. A sturdy spiral stake or thick bamboo poles are absolutely mandatory; otherwise, it will collapse under its own weight. It loves a sunny, rain-sheltered spot (e.g., under a roof overhang or in a greenhouse) and plenty of nutrients in the soil. It also grows in a container, but it really needs a very large pot (at least 20 to 30 liters).

Hey, the Bulgarian Oxheart needs strong stakes and a little TLC! Tie it up well, pinch off the side shoots, and give it a warm spot. When you harvest these massive, meaty hearts in late summer, you'll be the undisputed tomato king of your neighborhood!

What you can do with the Bulgarian Oxheart:

• The ultimate burger & sandwich upgrade: Forget soggy buns! Because this tomato is so incredibly meaty and loses almost no juice, your sandwich won't get soggy. A single thick slice of this giant is often enough to cover an entire hamburger bun.

• Caprese in XXL format: Cut the Oxheart into thick, juicy slices and arrange them on a large plate, alternating with slices of high-quality buffalo mozzarella. Good olive oil, coarse sea salt, fresh basil – that's all you need for a gigantic summer meal.

• The "tomato steak" from the grill: Yes, you can grill them! Cut the tomato into thumb-thick slices, brush them lightly with garlic olive oil, and place them briefly on the grill grate or in a grill pan. A dream for any veggie BBQ!

• Sauce wonder (without endless reduction): Those who love sauces will adore this tomato. Because it contains so little water and seeds, you don't have to simmer your tomato sauce for hours until it thickens. Simply dice, simmer briefly with onions and herbs – and boom, perfect, rich pasta sauce!

• Summer tomato carpaccio: Use a very sharp knife to cut the fruits into paper-thin slices. Arrange them flat on a large plate, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts, a few parmesan shavings, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Looks like a Michelin-starred restaurant dish and tastes like pure summer!

The Bulgarian Oxheart isn't fast food; it's the luxurious steak of the vegetable garden. You might need both hands for the harvest – but that incredible flavor is worth every effort!