When is a black tomato ripe?

Greatgardens · June 15, 2013

I'm growing 3 "black" tomatoes this year:

Black Cherry (really nice looking plant -- more compact than many cherries.)
Black
Perth Pride (from the dwarf tomato project)

How can I tell when they are ripe? I suspect that one must look for slightly different color changes on differing black tomatoes? I previously grew only one black tomato ever -- Southern Night, and I never did figure out how to tell when it was ripe. Hope to do better with this go-round!

Thanks,
GG

efisakov · June 15, 2013

Most black varieties ready when a bit softer, shoulders will stay green on some varieties.

b54red · June 15, 2013

It will take some practice to get to where you know when each different variety of black tomato is ripe. Some are ripe on one variety when others that look the same are not ripe on another variety. There is a big difference in the shelf life of some of the blacks also. I remember getting a little frustrated when I first started growing them because it took me a while to figure when the various black tomatoes were ripe. The color and ripe stage can also vary with the weather.

Bill

Qweniden · June 16, 2013

I usually go by feel. They should be soft but not too soft.

For black cherry in particular, I think that variety is better when not fully ripe. When they get purplish/burgundy I am not a fan of the texture or color.

June 15, 2013	#1
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	When is a black tomato ripe? I'm growing 3 "black" tomatoes this year: Black Cherry (really nice looking plant -- more compact than many cherries.) Black Perth Pride (from the dwarf tomato project) How can I tell when they are ripe? I suspect that one must look for slightly different color changes on differing black tomatoes? I previously grew only one black tomato ever -- Southern Night, and I never did figure out how to tell when it was ripe. Hope to do better with this go-round! Thanks, GG

June 15, 2013	#2
efisakov Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: NJ, zone 7 Posts: 3,162	Most black varieties ready when a bit softer, shoulders will stay green on some varieties. __________________ Ella God comes along and says, "I think I'm going to create THE tomato!”

June 15, 2013	#3
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	It will take some practice to get to where you know when each different variety of black tomato is ripe. Some are ripe on one variety when others that look the same are not ripe on another variety. There is a big difference in the shelf life of some of the blacks also. I remember getting a little frustrated when I first started growing them because it took me a while to figure when the various black tomatoes were ripe. The color and ripe stage can also vary with the weather. Bill

June 16, 2013	#4
Qweniden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 267	I usually go by feel. They should be soft but not too soft. For black cherry in particular, I think that variety is better when not fully ripe. When they get purplish/burgundy I am not a fan of the texture or color.