Historic Tomato 'Bulgarian Oxheart' - The Juicy Heavyweight

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

Taste: Gigantic and meaty! These rose-pink, strikingly heart-shaped fruits grow enormous (often weighing between 300 and 800 grams, sometimes even more!). They consist almost entirely of tender, melting flesh and have very few seeds or watery jelly. The aroma is incomparable: intense, wonderfully sweet, and with just the right mild acidity of traditional heirloom 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 that the plant can put all its energy into developing these massive fruits.

Special features: Don't be alarmed: Oxheart tomatoes naturally have somewhat drooping, delicate foliage that often looks as if the plant is terribly thirsty. Don't panic, it's supposed to look like that! Harvesting usually begins in mid-summer (mid-early to late), but then you'll be rewarded with fruits so heavy that you often have to hold them with two hands.

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

Hey, for the Bulgarian Oxheart, you'll need strong stakes and a little TLC! Tie them 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 in your neighborhood!

What you can do with the Bulgarian Oxheart:

• The ultimate burger & sandwich upgrade: Forget watery buns! Because this tomato is so extremely meaty and loses little juice, your sandwich won't get soggy. A single, thick slice of this giant is often enough to cover the entire hamburger bun.

• Caprese in XXL format: Slice the Oxheart into thick, juicy rounds and alternate layers of tomato and good buffalo mozzarella on a large plate. Good olive oil, coarse sea salt, fresh basil – nothing more is needed for a gigantic summer meal.

• The "Tomato Steak" from the grill: Yes, you can grill them! Slice the tomato into thumb-thick pieces, lightly brush with garlic-infused olive oil, and place briefly on the grill rack or in a grill pan. A dream for any veggie BBQ evening!

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

• Summer tomato carpaccio: Slice the fruits very thinly with a sharp knife. Arrange them flat on a large plate, sprinkle with toasted pine nuts, a few Parmesan shavings, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Looks like something from a Michelin-starred restaurant 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 to harvest it – but that incredible taste is worth every effort!