The Best Black Tomatoes: Love the Black Crimea? You’ll Adore These Varieties!

Black is the new red!

Black tomatoes, with their unique appearance and deep, sweet flavors, are increasingly captivating gardeners and gourmets. If you’re already a fan of the famous Black Crimea, it’s time to discover other equally fascinating varieties. Here is our selection of the top 10 black tomatoes to try in 2025 to enrich your garden and enhance your dishes.

1. Cherokee Purple

If you had to pick just one, this would be it! Originating from the United States, Cherokee Purple is a dark purple, almost black tomato. This heirloom variety is renowned for its dense, juicy, and sweet flesh, with slightly smoky notes. Ideal for salads, it impresses with its rich and balanced taste. It is also productive and fairly robust, making it a must-have for gardening enthusiasts.

2. Carbon

​ Carbon is another heirloom variety that stands out for its rich and sweet flavor. Its melting flesh and dark, almost black appearance with deep red undertones make it a favorite among exotic tomato lovers. Easy to grow, it adapts well to various climates.

3. Brad's Black Heart

As the name suggests, Brad's Black Heart has a distinctive beef heart shape. With dark skin and dense flesh, it stands out for its exceptional taste and slightly spicy aftertaste. It’s perfect for sauces and salads. Its unique color adds an original touch to dishes.

4. Golden Stripes

​ Golden Stripes is a black tomato variety with stunning golden stripes. This multicolored tomato on the outside and black on the inside offers a striking visual contrast and a sweet, almost fruity taste. It is especially appreciated for its balance between acidity and sweetness, making it ideal for adding variety to your dishes.

5. Polaris

Coming from Canada (Karen Olivier), Polaris is a black tomato variety that stands out for its dark color and its sweet, slightly smoky flavor. Its dense and juicy flesh is perfect for salads, sandwiches, or even enjoyed on its own. A solid plant with potato-leaf foliage and easy to cultivate, it adapts well to cooler climates.

6. Tundra

​ Tundra is a rare black tomato variety known for its ability to withstand cold climates and short seasons. Be cautious though, it is "resistant," but a tomato will never have the resistance of a pine tree... A modern Canadian variety developed by Karen Olivier (once again!) as part of the "True North Tomatoes" project. With firm flesh and a sweet, rich flavor, it fits well in many recipes, from salads to stews. Its dark, glossy appearance makes it particularly attractive in the garden. A solid plant that can produce huge fruits! A must-have for every garden.

7. Reinhard's Chocolate Heart

​ Reinhard's Chocolate Heart captivates with its heart shape and dark color. Its flesh is sweet, almost creamy, with a complex flavor reminiscent of red fruits. It’s perfect for gourmet sauces and upscale salads. Note, however, that this variety is fragile and not very productive... It’s recommended to grow it under cover or to graft it (read our article on grafting tomatoes).read our article on grafting tomatoes)​

8. Cerise Noire du Layon

This small cherry tomato, originating from the Layon Valley in France, is a true gem. A modern variety developed from Black Cherry, it’s even sweeter (but unfortunately less hardy...). Cerise Noire du Layon offers an explosion of flavors in the mouth—a sugar bomb with a hint of acidity (very light and pleasant). Its small size makes it ideal for appetizers or adding a colorful and gourmet touch to your salads.

9. Marina’s Black

​ Marina’s Black is a black tomato with almost black skin and rich, sweet flesh. This tomato is perfect for sauces, preserves, or simply eaten raw.

10. Cuban Pepper Like

Finally, Cuban Pepper Like is a black tomato variety that, as its name suggests, resembles the shape of a pepper. One of the rare elongated black tomatoes! With dense flesh, it is particularly well-suited for hot dishes. Excellent in sauces, its flavor becomes exceptional when used for sun-dried tomatoes!

We hope these ten black tomato varieties will help you explore new flavors and diversify your dishes. Whether you are an amateur gardener, a passionate chef, or a “cultivated biodiversity explorer”, these tomatoes will add a delicious touch to your cuisine. Feel free to experiment and share your favorite recipes!

And if you have candidates in your collection that match this ranking, don’t hesitate to share them with us!