Bounty: Microdwarf Tomatoes (1/23/18)

“Aztek” is a gorgeous micro-dwarf variety, a pale milky jade when unripe and a bright canary yellow when ripe. The fruits are very large for a cherry, and look like small peaches with a pointed end. Aztek was very early and a robust fruit setter; the plant stayed small, under 10″ tall, but at least 8″ wide. It was beat in earliness only by Yellow Canary. 

“Jochalos” seeds came to me from a trade with a great tomato friend from our gardening forum. The variety is reportedly from Bolivia.

The fruits begin to ripen as palest lemon yellow, and end up a rich golden yellow. I cannot say that they are orange, compared to my orange micros such as Orange Hat and Orange Pinocchio. The color is very pretty when sliced. In fact, the little slices reminded me of candied kumquat slices.

When I tasted the ripe fruit, I thought, “My goodness. This tomato is made for ME!” I will have to taste it side by side with Orange Pinocchio (Pinocchio Orange), my current favorite micro-dwarf, because I would say that Jochalos has it beat. You know that I like sweet tomatoes, and this one is sweet and fruity. Fruity like very sweet grapes. Tangy and fruity like a moscato wine, or a late harvest Riesling. I tasted several other “new to me” micro varieties, and some were very nice indeed, but not one was as delicious as this.