Supermarket chain Sainsbury’s is launching a new tomato this week, which boasts two special properties – it is black rather than red, and it is also said to be an aphrodisiac.
The Kumato is a brownish black, conker like tomato that originates from its wilder cousin Lycopersicon cheesmanii, which still grows on the Galápagos Islands.
Sainsbury’s has been working with plant breeders and growers for more than five years, with thousands of cross pollinations taking place to achieve the new variety.
The black tomatoes are said to be “sugar sweet” and will be sold off the vine in packs of four or five for £1.69.
Stores in London, Kent and Surrey will stock the Kumato for the next four weeks.
Giant turtles on the Galápagos Islands who eat the black tomatoes have been found to mate considerably more often than those that do not.
Posted by James at March 1, 2004 07:16 PM