Have you ever heard of a white tomato? Believe it or not, tomatoes come in many different shades and colors and the White Queen tomato is one of them! This globe-shaped tomato is a juicy royal treat you can slice up for your sandwiches and salads this summer!
Keep reading to learn more about this exciting tomato variety, how to grow it this spring, and ways this tomato will uniquely dress up your summer meals and veggie trays.
History of the White Queen Tomato
So, what’s a White Queen tomato, and how did it get its royal title? This impressive white tomato was first introduced in the 1990s, not long ago!
In 1987, a home gardener sent in her collection of orange and yellow Oxheart tomato seeds to Gleckler Seeds Company for a trial run. One of the plants surprised them when it produced white beefsteak tomatoes. How could this be? The theory was a genetic mutation.
It wasn’t until a few years later and many cultivation trials that this story would unfold. Eventually, the seed company decided this outstanding tomato should be sold and named after its color and shape. This tomato has grown in popularity since and has captured the attention of many gardeners!
Characteristics of the White Queen Tomato
The White Queen is an indeterminate heirloom tomato variety with an unusual light-colored flesh and skin.
This globe-shaped tomato is thick but juicy with a sweet and agreeable taste. White Queens fall under the beefsteak classification and grow medium in size.
White Queen tomato plants start slow but produce a significant harvest once they get started!
Ripening Season
Since these tomato plants are slow to mature, they grow their best yields in areas with long summers. Allow 80-85 days for this tomato plant to fully mature before enjoying its fruit.
Tomato Qualities
White Queen tomatoes have a tremendous juicy balance with a natural fruit sweetness that complements their well-rounded taste.
Tomato Size
White Queens are medium-sized fruits, usually weighing about 8-10 ounces each.
Planting Zones
White Queen tomatoes are susceptible to cold and frost. Therefore, a perfect range of 65 degrees fahrenheit to 75 degrees fahrenheit is best for tomato plant growth.
When temperatures drop below this range, tomato plant growth slows down. White Queen tomatoes will grow in temperatures warmer than 75 degrees fahrenheit, but you’ll need to water them more often to prevent wilting.
Size and Spacing
White Queen tomatoes grow in bushels. This vining tomato grows four to eight feet tall and needs a stake, trellis, or cage for extra support.
Pollination
White Queens are self-pollinating tomatoes. However, heat will interfere with a tomato plant’s pollination. Outdoor temperatures exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime or temperatures exceeding 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night will cause pollen to become “tacky” and non-viable.
Help your plants along by gently tapping on the blossoms to loosen and release their pollen; this allows pollen to fall onto the plant’s stigma and produce the best harvest!
Plant Care
The White Queen is an impressively hardy plant resistant to most diseases. However, these plants still need care, such as providing structural support, feeding with an organic fruit and vegetable safe fertilizer, and light pruning for best results.
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. You may also be interested in our blog post on how to grow big tomatoes!
Sunlight
The White Queen tomato thrives best in 6-8 hours of full sunlight a day.
Soil
White Queen tomatoes grow best in quality, well-drained soil. Before planting, we suggest adding mulch or small rocks at the bottom of your hole for proper drainage, a bit of fertilizer, then your starter plant.
Water
Keep the soil moist but never saturated. However, don’t allow the soil to become dry to the touch either.
After planting your White Queen tomato plants, we recommend watering every day for five days before switching to once every few days. Of course, water amounts depend on your climate’s conditions.
Fertilizer
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.
Diseases
White Queen tomato plants are relatively resistant to disease. However, these plants could develop blossom end rot due to unbalanced calcium. They could also develop root rot if overwatered.
The White Queen tomato plant has an extraordinary amount of foliage protecting the plant against sunscald. In addition, this tomato plant is perfect for growing in hot climates due to its drought and crack-resistant qualities.
To learn how to detect, treat, and take steps to prevent diseases, read our tomato diseases guide.
Pests
While White Queen tomatoes aren’t usually bothered by garden pests, they can still be found within your garden. For information to help you spot, eliminate, and deter 15 different pests, visit our guide on common tomato pests.
When to Harvest White Queen Tomatoes
When it comes to harvesting your White Queen tomatoes, you’re in for a royal treat!
Before removing tomatoes from your vines, test their ripeness by pressing gently into the skin. If your White Queen tomato is ripe, the flesh should yield slightly under pressure.
When ripe, these round, cream-colored tomatoes have a yellow tint on their blossom end and pale yellow-white, meaty flesh on the inside.
Common Uses For White Queen Tomatoes
There are various uses when it comes to White Queen tomatoes; let’s explore what to do with your plentiful harvest!
What Does This Tomato Taste Like?
The White Queen tomato has very few seeds and is lower in acidity, which makes them popular in the kitchen.
In addition, this variety of tomato is known for being one of the tastiest fruits due to their delightful sweet melon-like flavor with notes of guava flavors you’ll surely enjoy!
Cooking
You can use the White Queen tomato in your favorite cooked recipes. These tomatoes add great flavors to your pasta dishes, casseroles, and even a one-of-a-kind salsa!
Imagine the surprised looks on your dinner guests’ faces to see white pasta sauce or salsa instead of the classic bright red color!
Eating Raw
Due to their sweet and juicy flavor, White Queen tomatoes make the perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, and even displayed on your party trays!
Canning / Freezing / Drying
The White Queen tomato is best eaten fresh and doesn’t keep or preserve well. Store ripe tomatoes at room temperature for four to seven days for best results.
This variety of tomato has low acid levels, which can complicate saving methods.
Recipe Ideas
Health Benefits of Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain valuable antioxidant contents, including a rich concentration of lycopene, found to reduce the risk of certain types of cancers. Tomatoes are high in vitamins A and C and vitamin B and potassium, which have been found effective in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Including tomatoes in your balanced diet may prevent heart attacks, strokes, or other heart-related complications!
Where to Buy White Queen Tomato Plants or Seeds
Go here to purchase White Queen tomato seeds for your garden this year! Order seeds during the late winter, so you’re ready to plant after the last spring frost.
Starter plants could be available at garden centers or your local Farmer’s Market.
Where to Buy White Queen Tomatoes
You may find White Queen tomatoes available to purchase at health food stores or local farmer’s markets.
Wrapping Up the White Queen Tomato
Add a touch of royalty to your garden this spring by growing this unique and flavorful White Queen tomato variety! You’ll surely enjoy these juicy additions on your summer salads, sandwiches, or even have fun with this eye-catching variety displayed for your guests on your next veggie tray.
Excited for more tomato content? Then visit our tomato page for growing tips, comprehensive guides, and tasty recipes!