The first-ever black tomato to be sold in the UK retail sector will be hitting the shelves exclusively at Sainsbury’s stores this week.
Named the Kumato, the exotic new variety is being trialled in selected stores and is expected to prove a big hit with its unusual dark colour and distinctive sweet taste.
The black variety originates from the Galapagos Islands, and Sainsbury’s has worked with Fresh Link Marketing (a leading UK based tomato supplier) and Syngenta Seeds to develop and launch the Kumato. The super-sweet tomatoes are currently grown in the ideal climate of Aguilas, Southern Spain.
"Because of the dry weather conditions in the Mediterranean in the late 1980s, growers were keen to develop a tomato variety that would be tolerant to salty condition," said Sainsbury's. "Trials with the Galapagos variety produced tomatoes very close in colour and taste to what the growers had been hoping for, but it took a further six years and many thousand natural cross pollinations to produce the desired outcome - the Kumato."
The result is a sweeter, fuller flavoured tasting tomato, which maintains the same firm texture as its red counterpart, and offers equivalent nutritional benefits. The black colour from the original variety remains whilst selective breeding has developed a fantastically sweet taste, said Sainsbury's.
Tristan Kitchener, Sainsbury’s tomato buyer, said: “Consumer response to the new tomato has been extremely positive in trials. After extensive research we’ve finally found a new tomato variety that delivers an all round superb flavour and an eye-catching colour that we’re confident will appeal to our customers.”
The Kumato will be available under the Taste The Difference range, and will initially be available in selected Sainsbury’s stores, priced at £1.69 for a pack of 4.
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