The Purple Tomato – a Bold New Variety
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Collapse ▲Looking for a fun new addition to your farm or garden this summer? Try The Purple Tomato™! The Purple Tomato™ is an eye-catching variety of the beloved summer staple. The rich color seen in both the skin and flesh of this fruit is made possible by introducing two genes originally found in snapdragons. These genes allow the tomato to express purple pigments through the production of anthocyanins. With this increase in anthocyanins comes a greater level of antioxidant activity, likening it to that of blueberries, a fruit well known for its health-supporting properties. So not only does The Purple Tomato™ have a great visual appeal, but it also comes with an increased nutritional benefit! This tomato also has great flavor, being described as having a savory and earthy taste.
Pictured above, top: A comparison of Purple Tomatoes with other tomato varieties. Bottom: Caprese salad containing Purple Tomatoes. (Photos courtesy of Norfolk Healthy Produce.)
The Purple Tomato™ is an indeterminate variety and can be grown like any other indeterminate tomato. It exhibits vigorous vegetative growth, so be sure to cage or trellis. Maturity is reached in approximately 70 days. Fruit can be harvested once it begins to feel soft and releases readily from the stem. Be sure not to rely on color as an indicator of maturity, since its purple color often develops before full maturity is reached. Find more information for growing tomatoes at the following links. NC Extension Gardener plant toolbox and Extension Gardener Growing Tomatoes at Home.
With its flamboyant color and health-boosting properties, The Purple Tomato™ is both fun and functional. It also has great potential for value-added products, putting a unique twist on tomato sauces, juices, and more! Sure to capture anyone’s eye and attention, The Purple Tomato™ is a great contender for your next summer planting.
The Purple Tomato™ was developed and is sold by Norfolk Healthy Produce. Seed for the 2026 season becomes available when their Home Gardener Seed Store opens online on December 2, 2025. Farmers can partner with the company to become licensed growers and sellers of fruit and seedlings by signing up for their Small Growers Program.
Find more details at the following link. Norfolk Healthy Produce.
Watch an informational interview with the CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce.
For more information, contact your local Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office at 919-496-3344, or Ag Agent, Alejandra Martinez.