The Azoychka tomato is a smaller, yellow Russian tomato that’s been available to grow in the United States for almost 30 years. First thing’s first… how in the world do you pronounce this tomato’s name?
Ah-zoy-ch-kah
Is that an official phonetic spelling? Nope. But it’ll get you pretty close to the actual pronunciation!
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s learn more about this zingy little tomato!
History of the Azoychka Tomato
The Azoychka tomato used to go by another name, Zolotoy Borago (no, I’m not sure how to pronounce that one!), since at least the 1980s in the former USSR. What’s known as the Azoychka today was bred by Valentina Petrovna Kruglova, a hobby gardener, and was brought back to the United State by Kent Whealy in 1995.
The original spelling of the tomato was Azochka, without the “y”, which is a nickname for an Arabic female name, “Aza,” which means “comfort.”
Characteristics of the Azoychka Tomato
The Azoychka tomato is a dependable plant with a great yield. It produces 3″ yellow/orange fruit that’s slightly flattened with a meaty interior that’s actually a little citrusy.
Ripening Season
Azoychka tomatoes ripen fairly early in the season-typically only 73 days after planting! The plants are usually done producing before the first frost of the fall.
Tomato Qualities
The Azoychka tomatoes are unlike other yellow tomatoes. They have a great acidic balance with the natural fruity sweetness which leaves it with a tart and sort of citrus-like flavor.
Tomato Size
This variety of tomato plant produces 40-50 fruits per plant that are each around 3″ in diameter and weigh between 6-12oz.
Planting Zones
This plant grows well in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. It’s a pretty hardy plant that does well in coastal areas as well as cooler and warmer environments.
Size and Spacing
The Azoychka tomato plants will grow up to 4′ tall and need to be spaced about 24″-36″ apart. Remember, these plants produce between 40-50 delicious fruits EACH, so it’s well worth the space it will take up in your garden.
Pollination
Azoychka tomatoes are self-pollinating, but the natural process can be disrupted in humid environments. If you’d like to help them along in the process, you can tap gently on the plants to help loosen and release the pollen, allowing it to fall onto the stigma. Do this midday when it’s hot and sunny.
Plant Care
Azoychkas are remarkably hardy plants that are resistant to most diseases, but they still require regular tomato care such as providing structural support, fertilizing, and pruning.
The following sections will provide highlights about tomato care. For a complete guide on optimal tomato plant care, from planting to harvesting and storage, please check out our article on How To Grow Tomatoes: The Complete Guide For the Best Tomatoes.
Sunlight
Like most tomatoes, this variety does best with 12+ hours of sun, but it absolutely needs at least 6 hours of full sunlight.
Soil
Azoychka tomatoes need soil with good drainage. A really easy way to achieve this is mixing in organic material like shredded leaves or compost straight into the soil before planting your seedlings. This variety also does best in acidic soil with a pH of 6.5.
Water
These plants are very hardy, but are still susceptible to blight. To avoid that, water directly at the base of the plant so the leaves stay dry. If you don’t have time to water like you need to, you could set up a simple drip irrigation. It sounds harder than it is.
You could simply save an old milk jug (one per plant), rinse them out, drill holes in it, and then bury it next to your plant with the opening just above the surface for easy refilling. It will allow whatever water is needed to go directly into the soil where the roots can use it without getting a drop on the leaves AND you don’t have to think about it every day.
Fertilizer
You can add 1 ounce of a high-phosphorus fertilizer to each hole before transplanting your seedlings. Fertilize again when you see the first tomato start growing and then again a third time when you harvest your first fruit.
Tomatoes require specific nutrients (such as calcium) to produce their best crops of fruit. To learn how to determine what your tomatoes need and when they need it, consult our ultimate tomato fertilizer guide.
Pruning/Pinching
Pruning and pinching are a tomato care technique that can help your tomato put forth its best yield. But you need to know when to do this and what tomatoes need it. To help you with this, visit our pruning tomatoes guide.
Disease
Azoychka tomatoes are naturally resistant to Fusarium Wilt and Verticillium Wilt. Being diligent in keeping the leaves dry will also help deter a lot of fungal diseases.
To learn how to detect, treat, and take steps to prevent diseases, read our tomato diseases guide.
Pests
The Azoychka tomato plants are naturally rabbit resistant, so you can probably get away with not adding any sort of netting. To help with insect pest problems, try planting marigolds, basil, and parsley nearby. Not only will your garden be lower in pests, it will prettier to look at with the marigolds and give you some fresh herbs to cook with in your kitchen!
For information to help you spot, eliminate, and deter 15 different pests, visit our guide on common tomato pests.
When to Harvest Azoychka Tomatoes
These tomatoes will probably be one of the first ready in your garden. Harvest them when they reach their full size, about 3″ in diameter, have a little bit of give, and are a rich yellow color.
Common Uses For Azoychka Tomatoes
The Azoychka tomato is another tomato that is best enjoyed raw. Add it to your favorite salsa recipe or some bruschetta for a fun pop of color and delicious tangy twist!
What Does This Tomato Taste Like?
“Tangy” is the word most used to describe the flavor of the Azoychka tomato. In spite of its light color, it’s got enough acid to balance out its natural sweetness to make it taste almost slightly like a lemon!
Cooking
This tomato is a good candidate for adding in any tomato sauce. It would certainly be a fun surprise to feed your family spaghetti with an orange sauce instead of bright red!
Eating raw
The Azoychka tomato’s unique flavor shines when it’s raw. Slice them to go on sandwiches, chop them up for salsa, or bite right in and enjoy the flavor!
Canning / Freezing / Drying
Azoychka tomatoes are for canning so that you can enjoy them all year long. Here is a great article to get you started if you’ve never done that before!
Azoychka tomatoes also freeze well! They’ll stay good in your freezer anywhere from 8-12 months.
These tomatoes dry really well, too. They make a great substitution wherever you’d used jarred sun dried tomatoes. Here is an article to explain how to do that!
Recipe Ideas
Pasta with Spicy Sausage, Radicchio, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
3-Ingredient Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Tomato Salad
Health Benefits of Azoychka Tomatoes
Azoychka tomatoes are a great source of dietary fiber, anti-oxidants, minerals, and vitamins. It’s even been said they help protect against heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Where to Buy Azoychka Tomato Plants or Seeds
Azoychka seeds and seedlings can be a challenge to find, but here is a link to buy the seeds online. Always be on the lookout at your local farmers market for these tomatoes. You may find a grower who is willing to sell you a seedling at the beginning of the next season!
Where to Buy Azoychka Tomatoes
These tomatoes won’t be in your typical grocery store. Look for them at farmers markets or grow your own!
Wrapping Up the Azoychka Tomato
I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this tangy, zingy tomato! Enjoying it may mean you’ve got to grow it yourself, but I think with the tips given in this post, you’ll rock it and be enjoying some yellow salsa in no time.
Have you ever tried an Azoychka tomato? What was it like? And, the real question, did you know how to pronounce it before you read how to at the beginning? Let us know in the comments below!
Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!
- About the Author
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Stephanie Lamberth is a writer who gained most of what she knows about gardening from summers spent on her family’s farm tending, picking, and storing the produce they grew.
Her family started and ran a thriving farm that fed hundreds, if not thousands, of people in the community with fresh, naturally grown produce. She learned the effort and the reward of growing your own food!
Stephanie now lives in Tennessee with her husband and three kids. Their schedules don’t allow for a large garden, but she loves incorporating herbs from their flowerbeds in her kitchen and using her knowledge to help others.
Stephanie can be reached at stephanielamberthwriting@gmail.com