The Cherokee Purple tomato is a highly prized variety among gardeners and chefs, instantly recognizable by its unique, dusky coloring. This dark-hued fruit is celebrated for its complex, intense flavor, a trait often sought in older tomato varieties. The question of its heritage often arises, specifically regarding its classification as an heirloom. Understanding its history and unique characteristics clarifies this status.
Defining Heirloom and Open-Pollinated
The term “heirloom” applies to a plant variety with a documented lineage passed down through generations. A variety is generally considered an heirloom if it has been grown for at least 50 years or was commercially introduced before 1940. A defining characteristic is the ability to save seeds that grow “true-to-type,” meaning they consistently reproduce the parent plant.
This consistent reproduction is achieved through open-pollination, where fertilization occurs naturally. Open-pollination ensures the resulting plant is genetically identical to its parent, maintaining desired traits. This contrasts with hybrid (F1) varieties, which are created by cross-pollinating two different parent lines. Seeds saved from a hybrid plant will not reliably produce the same fruit, making open-pollination a prerequisite for true heirloom status.
The Provenance of the Cherokee Purple
The Cherokee Purple is definitively classified as an heirloom variety, rooted in the history of the American South. It is believed to have been cultivated by the Cherokee Nation in Eastern Tennessee, with origins stretching back to before 1890. This documented, multi-generational history within a specific tribal group satisfies the necessary criteria for heirloom status.
The tomato gained wider attention in 1990 when Tennessee gardener John Green sent seeds to collector Craig LeHoullier. Green reported the seeds had been passed down through a family claiming the variety originated with the Cherokee people. Impressed by the fruit’s flavor and color, LeHoullier subsequently named it the Cherokee Purple.
Commercial introduction began shortly after, with Southern Exposure Seed Exchange offering the variety in their 1993 catalog. This re-introduction solidified its status and led to immense popularity. Its deep historical roots and open-pollinated nature confirm its place among other heritage tomatoes.
Distinctive Growing and Flavor Characteristics
The Cherokee Purple plant exhibits an indeterminate growth habit, meaning the vines continue to grow and produce fruit until frost. This requires gardeners to provide substantial staking or caging to support the large, heavy fruit. The tomatoes are typically large, beefsteak-style fruits, often reaching between 10 and 12 ounces.
The fruit’s coloring is striking, presenting a blend of dusky purple, dark red, and brown hues. Many specimens display a unique characteristic where a green coloration remains near the stem, even when the rest of the fruit is ripe. The flesh inside mirrors this dark coloration, often showing a deep reddish-pink marbled with green.
The flavor profile is the primary reason for this tomato’s enduring appeal, frequently winning taste tests. It is consistently described as having a rich, complex, and “old-fashioned” tomato taste. The flavor features a balance of sweetness and acidity, often including a subtle, smoky or earthy note that distinguishes it from bright red varieties.