The Zhiraf tomato, also known as Жираф (“Giraffe” in Russian), is a late-season, indeterminate heirloom variety developed in the early 1990s at the Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University in Moscow. It is classified as a longkeeper tomato, meaning it can continue ripening after harvest and store for several months under proper conditions, making it ideal for both storage and transportation.
The plants grow to about 1.8 metres (6 feet) tall, with regular foliage and multiple branching stems. The fruits are round to oval, yellow-orange on the outside with pale red flesh, typically weighing 120–130 grams. Zhiraf is prized for its delicate flavour, unique appearance, and reliable high yields, producing 8.3–9.2 kg per square metre in greenhouse cultivation.
This variety is best harvested when the fruits are fully grown but still firm, allowing them to ripen off the vine. When stored in a cool, dark, and dry place at around 18°C (65°F), the fruits can last for several months, often into the following spring. Zhiraf is suited to a wide range of climates, and in Russia, it is recommended for Northern, Northwestern, Central, Volga-Vyatka, Central Black Earth, North Caucasus, and Middle Volga regions.
The Zhiraf tomato was officially approved for use in 2006 and has since become a reliable choice for gardeners seeking stable yields and long-lasting fruits
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