If you often find yourself drawn to colorful, unique fruits and vegetables, then you may have already heard of the Striped German Tomato. But if you’re like most, and you haven’t heard of this tomato, keep reading to find everything you need to know.
Its bright pattern of warm hues and the outstanding flavor is just one of the things that makes this tomato so appealing. It’s also simple to grow at home, making it a crowd favorite for home gardeners and vegetable lovers, alike.
Characteristics of the Striped German Tomato
Shape
This tomato grows into a deep oblate shape, meaning it looks like a smooshed-down sphere. It generally has ribbed shoulders that coincide with the colorful stripes on the skin.
Size
These tomatoes are not only beautiful but are quite large. They’re known to average from around 12 ounces all the way up to two pounds! For comparison, the average medium grocery store tomato weighs somewhere around four to eight ounces.
Color Appearance
The color of the striped German tomato is one of its best features! The skin is covered with brilliant orange, yellow, and red stripes. Slicing into the fruit, you’ll find a colorful marbled interior, making it a gorgeous addition to any dish.
Enjoying the Striped German Tomato
How They Taste
The flavor profile of this fruit, when compared to its appearance, does not disappoint. It has a fruity, juicy, and complex taste. It feels smooth on the tongue, with a minimally acidic tang, allowing for its versatility. Whether raw or cooked, these tomatoes can be a pleasant addition to all types of meals.
Different Ways to Prepare
You can use the Striped German Tomato in any recipe that calls for regular or diced tomatoes.
Straight Off the Vine
The unique flavors and size of the striped German tomato allow it to be a show-stopping raw food ingredient, in even a simple salad. Enjoy with fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze for an Italian take.
Or keep to its national origins and follow this simple recipe to create a tangy German tomato salad.
Baked
If raw tomatoes aren’t necessarily your style, there are numerous ways to cook, bake, or roast them. For a warm and comforting meal or side dish, try this hearty quinoa and veggie stuffed tomato recipe.
Packed with protein from the quinoa, and micronutrients from the vegetables, it is sure to leave you feeling full and energized.
Tomato Health Benefits
Tomatoes, in general, are healthy foods, and this variety is no exception. Tomatoes, including the striped German, are linked to a reduction in the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
This is due to its high content of the antioxidant lycopene, which gives tomatoes their deep red color.
Additionally, tomatoes provide high levels of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and vitamin K.
Buying Striped German Tomato
Where to Buy
These aren’t as common as other tomato varieties, which means they are not the easiest to come by. But they’re well worth the search, so here are some suggestions.
Check out your local farmers’ markets and see if they have any striped German tomatoes in stock. If you can’t make it to a farmers’ market, Whole Foods Market reports that they sell these tomatoes during their peak harvesting season.
When to Buy
Tomatoes are warm-season crops, they are grown during the summer and spring months. They do have a relatively long season when they grow the best, which thankfully helps to increase their availability throughout the year.
Planting and Growing Striped German tomatoes
There are plenty of factors to consider if you want to plant your Striped German Tomatoes successfully. Don’t worry though, we’ll guide you through the basics.
Soil
Medium-rich soil with a pH of 6-6.8 and good drainage is preferred.
It’s important to use a fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes, especially in regards to nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can cause problems such as excess growth, delayed ripening, or early rotting.
Sunlight
These plants thrive in the warmer months when the sun is at its peak. They should be placed in a sunny window or area of your garden that gets at least eight hours of sunshine, daily.
Caring for Tomatoes
Caring for your striped German tomato plant is not so different from caring for most crops. They don’t need much water once established. Avoid over-watering your plant, as this can invite fungal disease – learn more in our guide on Common Tomato Diseases.
Once the tomatoes begin to appear on the plant, begin feedings with water-soluble tomato food – we have six recommendations for the Best Tomato Plant Foods.
Additionally, watch for green caterpillars when growing tomatoes, as they have been found to eat the leaves and fruit. Our guide on Tomato Pests will let you know what else might want to feast on your tomato plants.
Harvesting Tomatoes
The tomatoes are ready to be picked when they begin to soften. They ripen gradually from the blossom end (bottom) of the tomato to the shoulders (the area surrounding the stem). After harvesting, place them into shallow, padded trays, and make sure they are not stacked.
For a deep dive into picking tomatoes at just the right time, check out our guide on Harvesting Tomatoes
Buying Seeds
If you are eager to grow your own striped German tomatoes, there are many places to purchase your seeds. We recommend the Striped German seeds sold online through one of our favorite seed retailers, True Leaf Market.
Wrapping up the Striped German Tomato
This juicy and delectable fruit is a must-try, whether you’re a tomato lover or not. Its colorful appearance and smooth, yet rich, flavors make it an excellent choice to spruce up a meal, appetizer, or side dish.
Whether you buy the fruit, grow it from seed, cook it, or eat it raw, there’s no way to go wrong with the striped German tomato.
Interested in continuing your learning adventure? Discover more about tomato plants for info about growing, storing, and enjoying the vast variety of tomatoes out there!