Harrowsmith Gen XYZ – Emma’s Edible Yard – A Tomato that Makes the Cut

Memorable Ones

At the end of the growing season, there are always some tomatoes that really stick out in my mind. Ones that produced really well. Others that looked really beautiful. And, of course, the tastiest ones. And there are some, like Ananas Noire, that are all three!

Ananas Noire translates from French to Black Pineapple. It was found growing in a field of ‘Pineapple’ tomatoes, as a natural cross with an unknown black tomato. And how lucky we are that we have this tomato, which is amazing in so many ways.

Knowing When to Harvest

Since this tomato is partially green when ripe, knowing when to pick it is important for those new to growing green-when-ripe tomatoes.

To tell when any tomato is ripe, the first step is to look for colour. On a fully green-when-ripe tomato, you can ignore this part. But, with Ananas Noire, look for some red blushing on the bottom.

Next, consider when you transplanted your plants and the days to maturity (DTM) of the variety. For Ananas Noire, the DTM is about 80 days.

And the last way to tell if a tomato is ripe is the feel. A ripe tomato should have some give to it when given a gentle squeeze. Using this method, you can tell if a tomato is ripe with your eyes closed. And you get good at knowing what a perfectly ripe tomato feels like.

In the Kitchen

Ananas Noire tomato is big, often one and a half pounds. It’s perfect for all your slicing needs. Burgers, sandwiches, and more, this tomato has you covered. Slice it up when you have guests coming over and show it off. It also looks stunning when added to salads.

Flavour wise, it’s amazing: so delicious, with a sweet and smoky, rich flavour. It has juicy, soft flesh.

Grow Your Own

Start this tomato like any other. It is indeterminate, meaning it will keep on growing until killed by frost or disease. If you have a limited growing space, and you don’t want the plant going crazy, I would recommend training it. Use a stake, trellis, or cage to keep it upright, and away from pests. Tying the plant to your support system (you can use twine, clips, strips of fabric) can help support the plant and prevent it from falling with the weight of all the heavy fruits.

Where to get it

Ananas Noire is available from several seed sources, including Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, and TomatoFest.

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Harrowsmith Gen XYZ – Emma’s Edible Yard – The Secret to Harvesting the First Ripe Tomato on the Block Harrowsmith Gen XYZ – Emma’s Edible Yard – A Delicious Green-When-Ripe Tomato on a Manageable Plant Florentine Beauty Tomato – Harrowsmith Gen XYZ – Emma’s Edible Yard 9 Top Growing Tips from Home Gardeners