You Say Tomato, Guess What?...So Do I

(CLICK PICTURES TO ENLARGE AND ENJOY)

I ate my first tomato this week...no seriously.  I thought I had tasted tomatoes in the past but I was way off, this has truly changed things.  Tomatoes, or more specifically Sun Gold tomatoes, may just be my favorite fruit...that's right fruit.  I mean no disrespect to my beloved Mangoes, but this was incredible.  Although by botanical definition we all know that a fruit is the ripened ovary or ovaries of a seed-bearing plant or more simply put "the one with the seeds in it," certain fruits lack the sweetness to be treated equally i.e. cucumbers, olives, avocados, tomatoes.  Nevertheless,...

this experience has been a game changer.  These tomatoes are as sweet and delicious as any fruit I've ever enjoyed.  As a tomato skeptic for years, I personally guarantee those of you who say you do not enjoy tomatoes will think differently after one of these little gems.  In just 2 plus months, these tiny buds have transformed this unassuming greenhouse into a hot and humid South American jungle. 

Take a look...

May

These babies will find their way by climbing up a simple system of individually hanging rope weighed down by rocks.

T-Tape drip irrigation helps keep the ground efficiently moist using less water than a sprinkler system, while the green house enclosure keeps these fruits hot and humid, just the way they like it.

June

See how the tomato vines climb the weighted rope?

Now you can really see why these plants use the ropes as a support system to prevent their branches from drooping on the ground.

Once the tomatoes start to form, they weigh down the vines and in order for the plant to grow to its full potential, you want to keep these branches from falling over, squashing the baby tomatoes.

July

Finally, the moment we've all been waiting for...a true beauty.

The moment my life changed for the better...

In a few weeks, all of these will be orange and delicious.

The golden ticket right here, hidden behind this leaf.  Although the yellow ones do taste good, as always, patience is the key and holding out for the deep orange color is well worth the wait.  

Sun Gold tomatoes are some of the sweetest tomatoes you can find.  These humid-loving cherry tomatoes grow to about 1/2 an ounce in weight.  Each bite packs a juicy punch of flavor that is like no other tomato I've ever had.  I wish I could explain this goodness, but as always in life, the best way to learn is through experience.  Perception is truly reality which means that every new experience is an opportunity to open yourself up to never say never again.  When I was a kid I "hated" so many different foods, the world was black and white.  Chocolate milk tasted good and beer tasted bad, I thought I would never drink a beer, eat a grapefruit or even Chinese food my entire life.  Obviously I got older, had more experiences and learned to enjoy many things in addition to chocolate milk.  I used to pluck cherry tomatoes out of my salads for years, but trying foods on this farm has taught me that it's not about what you're eating, but how it's grown.  All tomatoes are not created equal.  Using a system focused on strong soil biodiversity, coupled with the avoidance of chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides allows these plants to grow and develop naturally; not exactly the way the tomatoes are grown for the corner deli in midtown Manhattan.  By rotating what is planted on a given plot and caring for the soil in which these plants grow, a more natural and delicious result occurs.  Take a walk to the local farmer's market and try some fresh Sun Gold tomatoes while they're still in season.

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