Sungold cherry tomatoes are an improved variety of cherry tomatoes. Genes from two parents were carefully selected to infuse color, disease resistance and higher densities of sweetness into a new tomato cultivar. Sungold cherry tomatoes maintain the mutant gene found in all Yellow cherry tomatoes. Their yellow colouring, the result of flavonoids in the skin and high levels of yellow carotenoids (carotene).

Sungold cherry tomatoes are the genetic lottery winner of all Yellow cherry tomato cultivars. They possess an inherently lower level of acid in their flesh versus other Yellow cherry tomatoes. Thus, if the tomato plant successfully converts the maximum amount of sunlight into sugars and other flavor components, it will create candy sweet petite globes of tomato fruit the color of the sun. A perfect sungold cherry tomato is tender firm, thin-skinned with a liquid gel flesh bearing almost invisible seeds. Its flavor rich and complex, tomato-true and almost savory sweet.

Serving Ideas

Sungold cherry tomatoes can be used in any given recipe, fresh, hot or cold, calling for cherry tomatoes or simply, tomatoes. More importantly though, their first and foremost use is for fresh eating. Fresh sungold cherry tomatoes are quintessential salad and salsa tomatoes. They can be processed and cooked to make ketchup, compotes and jams. They can also be blanched, pureed and made into soups and granitas. Complimentary ingredients include citruses, especially lemon and lime varieties, seafood such as scallops, shrimp, crab and fish, grilled and roasted meats and poultry, mild and bitter salad greens, olive oil, vinaigrettes, young, milky cheeses, eggs, cream, hazelnuts, pine nuts, avocados, basil, pineapple, mint and cilantro.

Geography/History

All tomato cultivars can trace their historic heritage to coastal South America where wild tomatoes have been growing for millions of years. In fact, the most recent decoding of tomato’s DNA reveals that they possess 31,760 genes, the extra genetic versatility perhaps the reason they survived the catastrophe that the dinosaurs did not. Cherry tomatoes were the first domesticated tomato. Their DNA also a benchmark for the survival of the fittest. In the wild, tomato fruits are adapted for seed dispersal, hence their petite size and rounded shape, ready for being removed, carried and dispersed into new ground, nature’s answer to crop rotation. Sungold cherry tomato’s history is relatively brief. Its evolution began with Thompson and Morgan, a seed house of Great Britian. Once tasting trials dubbed the sungold the sweetest tomato ever seeds were released for distribution in 1992. Not only has it been a cult favorite of farmers and growers since its introduction, it has spawned replicas and even pen names for farmers desiring to disguise and distinguish.

Seasons/Availability

Available most of the year.