Some Other Colors

 

 

 

Berkeley Tie Dye ($6.25) This rare and wild exotic fruit with big bold luscious flavors looks just like its the name implies -- with spectacular streaks and swirls of green and yellow and red and orange and green dappling inside and out. From 8 to 12 ounces, Berkeley Tie Dye is another fabulous variety from tomato breeder Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms here in California. 

 

A portion of the proceeds of Berkeley Tie Dye will be donated to TACA, Talk About Curing Autism in the names of two very winsome young fellows.  Photograph used with the kind permission of Brad Gates.

 

 

 Brown Derby (Elser's) ($5.95) 75 days. My absolute favorite discovery this season, no contest. Combining the richness of the black tomatoes and the spiciness of the greens, this is a spectacular cross of my all-time favorite, Paul Robeson, and the legendary Aunt Ruby's German Green.

It arose about 5 years ago in the garden of Maria & Darrell Elser of Elser's Country Farm in Yucaipa, California and they have been selling it to adoring customers at their Southern California heirloom tomato farm stands for several years. The flavor is tantalizing--tart and sweet, a perfect combination of tang to sweetness with plenty of juice and a rapturous brown and green color. When Amazing Terry and I first tasted it in August, our eyes got wide, we grinned and  stared at each other with the 'Oh-my-God-this-is-incredible' look.  I could barely believe my mouth.

Elser's Brown Derby has become a much sought after favorite at Maria and Darrell's Farmer's Market stands  where customers arrive early to get their hands on one of these treasures. I had to scramble to get this one. True story. Another customer implored me, but I di not budge, wouldn't give it up. I wanted it for the photograph because it was so beautiful. Then we ate eat. At this time we have very few seeds so our supply of Brown Derby plants will be limited.

 (This fruit is not related to Tom Wagner's Brown Derby line, arose independently from that line and was named without knowledge of it.)

 

 

Great White ($4.95) 85 days. (B) This huge, 16-20 oz. creamy-white beefsteak heirloom has a dazzling pink blush on the blossom end when ripe, and wonderfully sweet, tropical melon-like flavor. Stunning on the vine, enchanting at the table. My favorite white tomato.

 

 

 

Super Snow White ($4.95) 70 days. (E)   A gourmet's delight. I can't say enough about this exquisite, ping pong ball sized, white cherry tomato which ripens from white to ivory to palest yellow with a bright, rich and sweet juicy flavor. Very prolific, easy to grow, pretty as starlight and a top seller.

 

 

 

 

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