Black Beauty 

PRICE: £2 per 

ORIGINATOR: Breeder Brad Gates. Developed in 2015 by crossing ‘Indigo Apple’ and ‘Berkeley Tie Dye Pink’.

RIPENING PERIOD: mid-season, long fruiting period.

CULTIVATION: OG.ZG. Greenhouse cultivation is preferable for higher yields; forms 8–9 clusters with 4–6 fruits each; extended harvest period.

PLANTING PATTERN: 60x60

TYPE AND HEIGHT OF THE BUSH: indeterminate, up to 2 m in greenhouse (around 1.5 m in open ground), regular leaf, 5–6 fruits per cluster.

FORMATION: grow in 2 stems (3 possible for higher fruit count but smaller size); requires pinching and staking.

FRUIT WEIGHT: 100–150 grams.

FRUIT SHAPE: flat-round.

FRUIT COLOR: anthocyanin-rich; deep purple-black in sunlight, one of the darkest known tomatoes; flesh is burgundy-red.

TOMATO TASTE: excellent—very sweet with slight tartness; bright, fruity aroma; buttery, juicy flesh.

YIELD: 6–8 kg per bush in greenhouse conditions.

DISEASE RESISTANCE: good; preventative treatments recommended.

USES: fresh consumption, salads, slicing; also ideal for processing into juices, sauces, pastes, and preserves, adding rich flavour and intense colour; suitable for cooking (stewing, baking, frying) while retaining nutrients.