We provide here a snapshot of some of the current varieties that we are growing at HFCRT. Our research approach is to maintain a varied selection of high tetra-cis-lycopene varieties, and also to make new selections as we find plants that appear to have greater health potential.
We call these our ‘Tomato Stars’
Amish Orange Oxheart – Indeterminate. Seeds originally sourced from ‘Amishland Heirloom Seeds’. An old Amish variety – the flowers have long exerted stigmas, which we see as an indicator of its Heritage status. This variety consistently tests with high levels of tetra-cis-lycopene, and phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene. Medium to large oxheart-shaped salmon/orange tomatoes. Early to mature.
Amish Star– Indeterminate. A 2024 selection from Amish Orange Oxheart. A medium-sized round tomato with well-balanced slight acidity, salty, savoury umami flavours. (Awaiting 2024 test results).
Carol – Indeterminate. A 2023 selection (from Oracle 2 SBO V.2) which had gone from having good levels of beta-carotene to now containing tetra-cis-lycopene, and no beta-carotene. A sunset orange firm cherry tomato, with well-balanced sweet and tart flavours with earthy undertones.
Galaxy – Indeterminate. A 2023 selection (from Optical end of row V.5) which had gone from having good levels of beta-carotene to now containing tetra-cis-lycopene; very good levels of phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene, and no beta-carotene. A small to medium slightly oval golden/orange tomato with a subtle sweetness.
Gleam – Indeterminate. A 2023 selection (from Optical S1) which had gone from having good levels of beta-carotene to now containing very good levels of tetra-cis-lycopene; and good levels of phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene, and no beta-carotene. A small to medium slightly oval golden orange tomato with a vibrant flavour, subtle and lingering sweetness with a silky melt in your mouth feel.
Glimpse – Indeterminate. A 2023 selection (from Best Optical M V.2) which had gone from having good levels of beta-carotene to now containing tetra-cis-lycopene; and good levels of phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene, and no beta-carotene. A light orange smooth small to medium round or oval tomato, fleshy with a gentle tartness, balanced with a subtle sweetness.
Golden Bell – Indeterminate. A nice sized bright orange bell-shaped tomato. This one tested second highest with tetra-cis-lycopene in our 2021 analysis plus it has good levels of phytoene; phytofluene and zeta-carotene. Indeterminate.
Golden Grape – Indeterminate. Wonderful grape-sized golden/orange fruits. Meaty little tomatoes, loved by children and adults. Tasty and highly attractive, great for salads. The fruit stay on the plants until late in the season. High in tetra-cis-lycopene. Indeterminate.
Golden Light – Indeterminate. This is one of our selections from ‘Orange Teardrop’. This variety is also very similar to ‘Orange Roma’. A good producing and tasty Roma style tomato. This variety tested with 3.44 of tetra-cis-lycopene in the 2020 year.
Mango Tomato – Indeterminate. Seeds given to us and grown for the first time in 2024. A small to medium light orange oval tomato with mild flavour. Awaiting lab results on its composition.
Mini Orange – Indeterminate. A vibrant orange large cherry tomato with a subtle pleasant earthy flavour. Contains good levels of tetra-cis-lycopene and intermediate compounds (phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene).
Moonbeam – Indeterminate. Lovely mild flavour, prolific golf ball-sized fruit. 2021 data showed the highest level of tetra-cis-lycopene at 4.2 for that year. This is a natural cross from ‘Moonglow’ that contains 30% more lycopene than ‘Moonglow’. Indeterminate.
Moonglow – Indeterminate. Original seeds sourced from Solana (Canada) where it is described as smooth, bright orange fruits with firm, dense flesh. High pectin. Round, slightly angular. Medium size, 85 days. Seed Savers Exchange describe this tomato as a brilliant, warm-orange slicer with great flavour. A real winner and one of the best, round, gold tomatoes. (Winner of Seed Saver’s Exchange 2007 Heirloom Tomato Tasting.) Moonglow is considered, by many tomato lovers, the tomato with the best texture and flavour of any gold tomato. Perfect to spark up tomato salads or to include in culinary creations. It tested with 4.88 of tetra-cis-lycopene in our 2020 results.
Oley (or Olé in Spanish) – Indeterminate. This is a natural cross of ‘Wally’s Spanish’. Just one plant in 2022 that produced fruit half the size of ‘Wally’s Spanish’. Still experimental as we continue to make selections each year of this variety as it continues to evolve. Deep orange medium-sized tomato with a refreshing combination of tartness and fruity undertones to create a fully developed flavour. Indeterminate.
Olga’s Round Golden Chicken Egg – Indeterminate. Original seeds sourced from Tomatofest and known as Olga’s Round Yellow Chicken Egg.
Described as “Russian heirloom from Siberia. Seeds collected in Russia by Bill McDorman of Hailey, Idaho. Introduced commercially by Seeds Trust in the early 90s. Indeterminate, regular leaf plant produces a very heavy production of 2 1/2,” 4-6 oz. round to oval, golden, thick-skinned tomatoes with sweet and slightly tart flavours”. Grows beautifully in Whanganui. Indeterminate, 70 days, mid-season. It scored with 4.32 of tetra-cis-lycopene in the 2020 year.
Spirited Tomato – Indeterminate. A 2023 selection from an Amish Orange Oxheart plant, that has none of the oxheart characteristics. Royal orange, round fruit. A slightly tart and savoury tomato with earthy undertones and a sweet aftertaste. Cherry to medium in size, as these plants are still evolving and we will likely grow 3 selections in 2025.
Tangella – Indeterminate. Original seeds sourced from Tomatofest. A disease resistant, highly productive heirloom variety that produces clusters of 2-inch, round, bright-orange fruit containing intense fruity flavours with a nice snappy tang. This variety tested with 3.83 of tetra-cis-lycopene in the 2019 year.
Wally’s Spanish – Indeterminate. Meaty bright orange beefsteak variety, reputed to be of Spanish origin, high levels of tetra-cis-lycopene as well as high levels of phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene. This is a beautiful and tasty tomato for anyone liking a larger meaty tomato. Indeterminate.