If you had to plant one tomato among the two unique varieties of black Krim vs Cherokee purple-which one would it be? Since both are tasty dark tomatoes that can use in many cooking items also come full of intense flavor.
But, they also have a couple of differences and similarities between black Krim and Cherokee purple, like their rich source of nutrients, growth pattern, size, and so on.
During so many things, you can easily get confused as to which one to choose from, black Krim alongside the Cherokee purple. Here’s how this article can help you clear up all your confusion.
So, keep an eye on my entire article.
Table of Contents
Black Krim Vs Cherokee Purple in Terms of Definition
Unless you pay close attention to black Krim and Cherokee purple, they may seem alike to you. So, first of all, let’s explore the overview of the black Krim plant. Also, find out what kind of tomato this is, based on the process of its growing, height, taste, etc.
Black Krim
If you are looking for a tomato that adds a more balanced flavor profile to your cooking or visual interest to your garden, then black Krim tomatoes are really for you. Because this tomato is worldwide recognized as the best-tasting black tomato.
However, black Krim is an unusual name, and you’re wondering how this tomato got its name. The story takes us to a Ukrainian peninsula, where this tomato originated.
At that time, it was also believed to be the first commercially available black tomato in the United States. Black Krim tomatoes are a variety of slightly hardened tomatoes and have an attractive color suitable for slicing.
Initially, it came with a dark reddish-purple to black skin and flesh. Its unique flavor and texture make it works well in cooking that calls for red or purple tomatoes.
Cherokee Purple
The Cherokee purple tomato flavor is well-known for its excellent taste, like Black Krim. This can be best for you if you want high-yielding and disease-resistant tomatoes.
Its soft skin with a little lighter color makes Cherokee purple attractive to the eyes. Basically, Cherokee purple will be very dark red, almost brick or dark purple.
How did the name Cherokee Purple come about? Again, you’ve to go back to the 19th century. It was first cultivated by the Native American Cherokee tribe, whose use soon spread to other places.
Yet, with its earthy smell and smooth texture, you can use this fruit in many foods that call for red or green tomatoes.
Black Krim Vs Cherokee Purple: Differences
Let’s take a closer look at the main differences between Cherokee purple and black Krim fruit.
Product | Black Krim | Cherokee Purple |
Origin | Ukraine | Oklahoma |
Type | Slicer/ Beefsteak | Slicer/ Beefsteak |
Skin | Bit Hard | Softer |
Color | Purple/ Dark Black | Purple/ Dark Red |
Flavour | High Balanced Flavor | Low Balanced Flavor |
Size | 6 to 12 Ounces | 12 Ounces to 1 Pound |
Height and Spacing
When you go for the black Krim plant, you need to grow it deeply with the top 4-6 leaves showing. Soak the soil before planting and plant tomatoes 24-36 inches between plants.
After planting, tamp the soil carefully but don’t compact it. Also, ensure that the leaves don’t get wet. You can apply fertilizer at that time to take care of your plants.
Finally, you can set up your cages by measuring them 3-4 feet high and 1.5-2 feet wide.
In contrast, the height of the Cherokee Purple tomato plant will spread from 2 to 4 feet and become 9 feet. So, you can allow the Cherokee plant to grow 18-36 inches between the trees.
Days of maturity
They are both mid-season tomato fruits, meaning they will mature and become ripe at different times. As you can see from the table where you get to know, Cherokee purple tends to be larger than Black Krims -sized tomatoes, which is the reason why it takes a little longer to ripen when harvested.
Here, to know when to pick Cherokee Purple tomatoes, you must wait 80 to 85 days to reach this stage. It means the cherokee purple tomato’s days to maturity is 85 days maximum.
But, how to tell when can the black Krim tomatoes ripe? In that case, I can say that the black Krims start ripening in August and take about 80 days to mature.
Flavor difference
The third most notable difference between Cherokee Purple and Black Krim varieties is the taste. However, everyone has their preference, as I prefer Cherokee Purple Tomato flavor over black cream for its tartness and smooth texture. But it’s just my preference.
In general, black Krim provides a more balanced, lovely, and delicious note with a bit of smoke.
On the contrary, the Cherokee purple variety has a less intense smell and complex taste. Therefore, the recipes for cherokee purple tomatoes become undoubtedly delicious.
It can be better when it is fresh. Also, these tomatoes can be more excellent than beefsteak slicing tomatoes.
Black Krim Vs Cherokee Purple: Similarities
There are many similarities between these two types of tomatoes. What features do they have in common? Let’s explore:
Open-pollinated
Open-pollinated tomatoes mean the seeds will produce almost identical fruits to their parents. Naturally, tomatoes self-pollinate with the help of bees, birds, and wind which means you can grow a tomato plant and still get fruit from it.
Cherokee Purple and Black Krim varieties are inherited tomatoes which means they are open-pollinated and passed down from generation to generation.
Growing all season
Are Black Krim tomatoes determinate or indeterminate? But, do you know what that means?
Determining tomatoes means the tree reaches a mature height and their fruits begin to lie almost together.
Cherokee and Black Krim tomatoes plant are indeterminate in both cases like another type of tomato carbon, which means they both continue to grow throughout the season. They should not only be allowed to grow but also prune at the same time.
As a result, you can harvest ripe fruit throughout the season until the snow on the tree dies. So, if you always want a steady supply of tomatoes to collect fruits, these types of indeterminate tomato varieties will be the best choice.
Time to harvest
Since Cherokee tomatoes are slightly larger than Black Krim, Cherokee purple also takes a little longer to mature. From planting to maturity, the crop needs about three months to be fully ready.
Therefore, their harvest time is not so different. Both begin to get ready for harvest from the summer. Consequently, you should start monitoring from August to get the Black Krim and Cherokee purple crops.
Also, if you want to know what to do with Cherokee purple tomatoes in indoor places? To ripen the tomatoes indoors, you can put them in a brown paper bag or under a sheet of newspaper. This method can allow you to ripen any tomato indoors.
However, if you want to know how you will grow black Krim tomatoes or Cherokee, visit here.
Again, if you wonder where to buy those tomato plants, buy on Etsy or Dobies. These two sites are the most reliable online plant selling sites to purchase your plants.
FAQs
1. How tall do Cherokee purple tomatoes grow?
Generally, the fruit of a tomato plant will grow about 4 to 6 feet tall (1.2 to 1.8 meters), with a width of 18 inches (46 centimeters)
2. What to consider before buying heirloom tomatoes?
Before buying an heirloom tomato, you should consider what kind of heirloom or taste you want. Also, before buying, make sure that the skin of the tomato is intact and try to avoid buying extra ripe tomatoes.
3. What is unique about Black Krim tomatoes?
Black Krim tomatoes are notable for their appealing color and well-balanced flavor. It is also great for juices, salads, sandwiches, and sauces.
4. Is Black Krim tomatoes hybrid?
No, black cream is not like a tomato hybrid. When two different species pollinate a plant, it is called a hybrid.
Since black cream is inherited from tomatoes, bees, wind, etc., naturally pollinate tomato plants. So, Black creams are not hybrids due to open pollination.
5. What is the best tasting black tomato?
The best black tomato in a plum variety is Purple Russian. These black tomatoes come in an old variety and have a rich, complex flavor. Purple Russian is a dark mahogany-brown fruit that is easy for all to grow.
Before You Go
Black Krim Vs Cherokee Purple: which will you choose? This will entirely depend on your preferences.
For example, if flavor is a main thing to you, you will need to note that black Krim adds a more balanced flavor profile to your cooking than Cherokee purple. On the other hand, if size matters to you most, Cherokee is gigantic.
And if you love small sweet tomatoes, cherry tomatoes will do. Check out my next article on this: Sun Sugar Tomato Vs Sungold.
