番茄 'Black Russian'

I’ve grown tomatoes for years in a cool climate and these were the first to turn color, that heat-absorbing dark skin is no gimmick. The flesh had that smoky, complex look when I sliced into it, and the seeds sprouted reliably. Definitely ordering again next season.

Planted these in early spring and even with our cool nights, the charcoal-fleshed fruit started ripening a full week before my other tomatoes. The dark skin really does speed things along.

The black skin really does help them ripen faster than my other tomatoes, and the flavor is incredibly rich and smoky. I've already saved seeds from the first harvest to grow again next year.