Black Altai is an extremely rare, early heirloom tomato from Russia, believed to originate in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. This indeterminate variety produces small to medium fruits averaging 3–8 ounces. The fruits are round to oblate, brownish-red in colour, often with green shoulders and occasionally showing marbling or dark streaks. The flesh is meaty and flavoursome, with a very good, slightly acidic taste that becomes more pronounced as the fruit ripens.
The plants are vigorous and continue to grow and set fruit until the first frost, making them suitable for mid-season production. They are highly drought-tolerant and adapt well to cooler or short-season climates, thriving even in regions with long winters. Black Altai tomatoes are versatile in the kitchen. They are excellent for fresh eating, slicing for salads, cooking, saucing, canning, or drying.
This tomato was one of the stars of my 2025 garden! Its unique colour, rich flavour, early harvest, and drought tolerance was treasured in such a challenging year. This endangered tomato is a reliable, unusual, and high-quality variety.
These tomato seeds are available directly from Garden Faerie Botanicals in the heart of British Columbia, Canada. The collection features heirloom and heritage seeds that are personally cultivated organically without the use of any chemicals. Emphasizing historical, rare, non-GMO seeds, this selection preserves biodiversity through open-pollination.
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