Kumato: how to grow Kumato tomatoes

The ‘Kumato’ tomato variety is characterised by its unique, dark flesh. Read on to learn about the wonderful tomato’s taste and origin, as well as some tips on growing it at home.

‘Kumato’ is a unique tomato, both in appearance and taste. You may have even spotted it in the supermarket, among the special tomato varieties. Here is how to grow this colourful tomato variety at home!

‘Kumato’ variety: profile

Origin and history

‘Kumato’ is the result of a breeding programme, run by the Syngenta company. Syngenta crossed two separate tomato species to create an F1 hybrid: the Kumato. They did this so that ‘Kumato’ would have several desirable characteristics that were previously shared between both parents.

‘Kumato’ was patented in 2009, and is now commercially available across North America and Europe, sometimes under the name ‘Rosso Bruno’. Mini Kumato were developed some years, and are grown mainly in Spain and western Europe.

‘Kumato’ tomatoes: taste and characteristics

The ‘Kumato’ is a dark salad tomato. Its stems can grow over 2m tall and its brown-green to red-brown fruit weigh approximately 100g. These fruits have a distinct sheen, firm skin and flesh, and an intense, aromatic, tangy-sweet taste.

‘Kumato’ is a hybrid variety, which means you cannot save its seeds and plant it next year. The same is also true of the elongated-oval, mini ‘Kumato’ cherry tomato, which ripens dark red to green-brown.

Growing and care for ‘Kumato’ tomatoes

The ‘Kumato’ plant is a salad tomato, so it needs regular pruning. It grows well with one, two or three shoots, but be sure to provide the plant a strong support so that it doesn’t suffer from the weight of its fruits!

Like many hybrid varieties, ‘Kumato’ is very hardy. It will grow well in a greenhouse and outdoors. But before planting it outdoors, be sure to harden off your tomato plant by gradually acclimatising it for 7 to 14 days in a cold frame or a sheltered spot outside.

When planting ‘Kumato’, use a soil specially adapted for tomatoes, such as our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Compost. This soil is peat-free, packed with important nutrients that your young plants need to grow, and retains moisture in the soil, stimulating root formation.

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Tomatoes need a lot of food. As such, regularly fertilise your tomato plants during the summer for a good harvest. With a natural, slow-release fertiliser, such as our Plantura Tomato Food, you ensure that your tomato plant has a long-term supply of nutrients. What is more, slow-release fertilisers like this protect soil life, unlike blue grain and other mineral fertilisers.

Harvest and use of the ‘Rosso Bruno’ tomato variety

The ‘Kumato’ tomato is very firm, so it is ideal for salads, snacks and freshly sliced in sandwiches. If you want to cook your ‘Kumato’, it is best to remove the skin with boiling water. The same goes for its bite-sized younger sibling, the mini ‘Kumato’ tomato.

Tip: Mini ‘Kumato’, a small cherry tomato, is particularly aromatic when grilled or baked in the oven. It is an extremely healthy side dish, so why not give them a go!

Want to grow a ‘Kumato’ plant outdoors? We have collated a few tips and tricks that will help you grow tomatoes outdoors and produce an abundant yield. Have a read!