The variety with the unusual name is becoming increasingly popular. We take a closer look at the pineapple tomato and reveal how to plant, care for and harvest it correctly.
The pineapple tomato or 'Pineapple Tomato' is an integral part of the repertoire of old varieties. We present the extraordinary tomato in a portrait.
contents
- Pineapple tomato: profile
- origin and history
- Properties and taste of the pineapple tomato
-
Varieties of the pineapple tomato
- Black and blue pineapple tomatoes
- Yellow and green pineapple tomatoes
- Planting pineapple tomatoes: tips for the greenhouse and the pot
- Harvesting and using pineapple tomatoes
Pineapple tomato: profile
| synonyms | 'Pineapple Tomato' |
| fruit | beef tomato; different colors |
| the taste | fruity, sweet, with pineapple aroma |
| maturing time | late |
| growth | Stick tomato, up to 180 cm |
| location | Glasshouse |
origin and history
The home of the pineapple tomato is probably Kentucky in the USA, from where it was brought to Europe around 1950. Since then it has become a true classic in our home gardens. The pineapple tomato is an old variety and therefore firm to seed. Obtained seeds can be sown the next year, since the varietal characteristics are preserved. This also applies to newer breeds of pineapple tomatoes.
Properties and taste of the pineapple tomato
Pineapple tomatoes belong to the beefsteak tomatoes, i.e. the largest representatives of the tomato fruits. The fruit vegetable is flat and round, i.e. wider than it is high, and slightly ribbed. Pineapple tomatoes ripen from the beginning of August and are therefore among the late-ripening tomato varieties. When fully ripe, the fruits become very soft and must be eaten quickly. By the way, fruits that are not yet fully ripe also taste very good and can be stored longer. Pineapple tomatoes have an overall very fruity, sweet and mild taste reminiscent of pineapple. The dark and green varieties of pineapple tomatoes are also refreshing with a little acidity. In general, they have only a few seeds in their fruits, which can weigh more than a kilogram.
Varieties of the pineapple tomato
The pineapple tomato shines in a wide variety of colors, both classic yellow-orange and dark shades or even green. We will now introduce you to the most well-known varieties.
Black and blue pineapple tomatoes
The two varieties fall under the black and blue pineapple tomatoes ‘Pineapple Noir’ and ‘pineapple bleu’. the ‘Pineapple Noir’ turns dark red, pink to brownish with increasing maturity, the upper side remains olive green. If you cut these large beefsteak tomatoes in half, the whole color spectacle presents itself with nuances of pink, yellow, orange, brown and green.
The variety also offers a true play of colours ‘pineapple bleu’, which are among the rare blue tomato varieties counts. While the basic color is deep yellow-orange when ripe, the upper side turns deep violet when there is enough sunlight. The blue pineapple tomato is a rather newer variety and very decorative, because its leaves and stem also shimmer bluish-violet.
Yellow and green pineapple tomatoes
The best-known representative of the pineapple tomatoes is the ‘Yellow Pineapple Tomato’. When ripe, the marbled flesh delights with the colors yellow, orange and a bright red. On the other hand, behaves 'pineapple green' very inconspicuous as it retains its green color while the flesh becomes highly aromatic, melt-in-the-mouth and soft.
Planting pineapple tomatoes: tips for the greenhouse and the pot
Pineapple tomatoes love warmth, so they do best in a greenhouse. They are sometimes considered the mimosa among tomato varieties, as they bear few fruits without adequate shelter and warmth. The pineapple tomato is best grown with a single shoot and the stinging shoots in the leaf axils are consistently removed. In the greenhouse, the plants reach an average height of 1.60 to 1.80 meters and therefore also need support. Experience has shown that pineapple tomatoes are less suitable for growing outdoors because they are not as disease-resistant as outdoor varieties. You should get at least a rain shelter or a sheltered place in a pot on the south wall.
Our tip: For potted tomatoes, use ours Plantura tomato and vegetable soil in organic quality. The soil is guaranteed peat-free and specially tailored to the needs of tomatoes and other vegetables.
Harvesting and using pineapple tomatoes
The large, heavy pineapple tomatoes are of course best enjoyed fresh in a salad or on bread. But their size also makes them productive fruits for aromatic sauces and soups.
Our tip: Prepare a sun-yellow tomato soup from the classic pineapple tomato and surprise friends and acquaintances!
You can find more tomato varieties in our article “The 60 best tried and tested & new varieties“.