The Ananas Noire tomato is the French name of this unusual tomato variety known for its unique, sweet smoky flavor. Translated it means Black Pineapple tomato. I know this name doesn’t make you think, “I’ve got to try this!” But it will be one of your family’s favorite tomatoes as it has become for many gardeners. Learn all about this unique tomato to see if it has a place in your tomato patch.
Origins of the Ananas Noire Tomato
Pascal Moreau, an esteemed Belgian horticulturist, discovered this delectable tomato by chance in a field of pineapple tomatoes. It was the result of cross-pollination between an unknown black tomato variety and pineapple tomatoes.
He continued developing it himself until he released it to the market in 2005. Since then, the Ananas Noire tomato has frequently ranked high marks in taste tests. It is quickly becoming a favorite among black tomato lovers.
About the Ananas Noire
It is an heirloom tomato with a unique ribbed shape and striped liked flesh ranging from dark purple to red and green. It has swirls of pink, yellow, green, and red inside flesh like pineapple tomatoes.
An indeterminate tomato (read about determinate and indeterminate tomatoes) with regular, large sprawling leaves, the Ananas Noire produces an abundance of 1 to 1 ½ lbs tomatoes. They are full of flavor with rich notes of smoky sweetness and balanced acidity.
The Ananas Noire is a beefsteak tomato, which means they produce large and exquisite fruit with bumps or ridges. With their tender ribs and dense flesh, the flavor of these tomatoes makes them an ideal choice for eating fresh-picked in thick slices.
Although they are somewhat firm when first ripe, they quickly soften once harvested. This unfortunately makes them vulnerable to bruising which can quickly lead to spoilage. This means they are not good keepers and should be eaten or preserved shortly after harvesting.
Ananas Noire tomatoes, similar to other tomato varieties, are nutritional powerhouses. Packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and protect against several illnesses, they can also provide an abundance of Vitamin C which keeps your skin looking youthful while improving the strength of your immune system.
Tomatoes are a powerhouse of health benefits; they not only contain lycopene, an antioxidant compound that may protect against cancer and heart disease but also supply various nutrients such as calcium, iron, fiber, vitamin B, and potassium. This nutritious vegetable is known to reduce cholesterol levels while simultaneously lowering blood pressure – making them essential for maintaining good overall health.
Tips For Growing
You can read everything you need to know about growing tomatoes and about the different types of tomatoes in our other tomato posts.
- Because they are indeterminate, you’ll need to support the vines. You can stake them when you plant them, but don’t tie the plant to the stake until it becomes too heavy to support itself.
- I recommend thinning the sprawling, large leaves to allow sunlight to enter. Read more about this process in our Guide to Growing Tomatoes.
- Tomatoes need healthy, nutrient-rich soil. Learn about soil maintenance in our Soil Health section.
- They prefer full sun but will tolerate partial shade as long as they get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- When seedlings are at least 3 inches tall, plant them directly into well-draining, rich soil.
- Make sure to space your seedlings 16″ apart when sowing in raised beds.
- When planting in a traditional row garden, ensure there is ample room for growth by positioning plants 20 inches apart.
- It’s important to keep the soil moist but not wet as overwatering can cause tomatoes to rot.
- To avoid scorching your tomatoes, it is essential to water them before the sun is directly on them.
- Be careful to water them at the soil level and avoid wetting their leaves. You can do this by slowly watering the ground around them, buying special tomato waterers, or using an irrigation system.
- Watering them at night makes them susceptible to fungus and mildew diseases so avoid doing this if possible.
Taste of Ananas Noire Tomatoes
Ananas Noire tomatoes are a colorful and flavorful addition to any dish, with their distinctive smoky-sweet taste. Their taste is unparalleled – juicy and sweet – making them exceptional for your family meal creations.
Enjoy them raw or cooked; either way, you will experience tantalizing flavors that tease your tastebuds unlike any other tomato! With Ananas Noire tomatoes, every meal can be truly special.
How to Use
Ananas Noire tomatoes offer the perfect combination of texture, color, and juice. Elevate your salads or sandwiches with their crunchy slices, then add a zesty pinch of herbs and spices to create an unforgettable taste experience!
For grilling, roasting, or baking, Ananas Noire tomatoes are the ideal ingredient due to their natural sweetness that caramelizes perfectly. You’ll have to cook them this way right after harvesting as they will quickly soften.
Their flavor is even more pronounced when added to stews and soups! If you’re feeling adventurous in the kitchen, then explore limitless possibilities with these delicious tomatoes; add them to your favorite dishes for a burst of flavor, or enjoy them as-is for a juicy snack.
How to Preserve Ananas Noire Tomatoes
Preserving tomatoes is the perfect way to prolong their deliciousness and make them accessible throughout the year. One of the most popular ways to do this is by canning them. Learn to can tomatoes safely at home.
To enjoy tomatoes year-round, you can freeze them!
- Start by washing and chopping the tomatoes into small pieces or leave them whole.
- Then, spread the pieces onto a baking sheet and place them in your freezer until they are frozen solid.
- Transfer to an airtight container or bag labeled with the date and tomato variety.
- Store in the freezer for up to 12 months. When you’re ready to use them, add them directly into soups/stews while still frozen; however if using them for other dishes, you may want to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator first!
We like to dehydrate as much food as we can. It saves storage space, preserves the enzymes, and to us, enhances the flavors. We’ve had our dehydrator for years and it has never let us down!
When dehydrating set the temperature at 118-120 degrees F, not only does this result in an outstanding flavor but it also allows the enzymes present in the food to remain unharmed. Even though this process requires more time than usual methods of drying fruits and vegetables, it surpasses that of other options for taste and nutritional value.
Whichever method you choose, preserving the Ananas Noire tomato is a great way to enjoy its delicious flavor all year round!
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Where to Purchase
You can order Ananas tomato seeds from many seed companies. Our favorite seed company is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. You can purchase them from your favorite seed supplier if they offer them.
You may be able to find seedlings at specialty nurseries or gardening centers but I have never seen them in any local to me.
Wrap Up
Ananas Noire tomatoes are a unique and delicious variety of tomato with an unmistakable smoky-sweet flavor. These tomatoes can be enjoyed raw or cooked, making them perfect for salads and sandwiches, as well as grilling, roasting, and baking.
They are easy to grow and require only the basic growing requirements of tomatoes. They are bountiful producers of large dark purple and green tomatoes.
To preserve their flavor, Ananas Noire tomatoes can be canned or frozen; they can also be dried using a dehydrator. Ananas Noire tomatoes are available from seed suppliers and may be available at specialty nurseries and gardening centers. With these versatile and flavorful tomatoes, every meal can be truly special!
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