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'Black Krim' Tomatoes
 
Sub-Category: Standard
Main-Season
Heirloom
  Greenhouse
Sub-Category 2:
Description: Open pollinated. Russian heirloom. Main season standard beefsteak type. Indeterminate plants produce iridescent purple skin, greenish black shoulders, and partly black interiors fruit. Suitable for greenhouse or garden/field. Disease resistant variety. More evaluation needed to confirm resistance to late blight. About 80 days to maturity.
Days To Maturity: 80
Seed Sources: Gurneys Seed & Nursery Co. - updated in 2019
Seed Savers Exchange - updated in 2015
Totally Tomato - updated in 2015
Henry Field's Seed and Nursery Co. - updated in 2015
BBBseed - updated in 2015

 
Rating Summary
 
Overall: (4.1 Stars)Overall
Taste: (4.6 Stars)Taste
Yield: (3.7 Stars)Yield
Ease/Reliability: (3.7 Stars)Ease/Reliability
 
Reviews
 
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Number of Reviews: 25

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KEY: O=Overall Rating, T=Taste, Y=Yield, E=Ease

Reviewed on 08/21/2016 by JohnSVMG - An experienced gardener

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Bledsoe, Tennessee, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Our experience is that Black Krim yields a variable crop. In year 1 two side-by-side tomato plants grown from seeds from a single packet yielded tasty fruits that were dramatically different in size and appearance. One was large, oblate with pronounced ribs and dimples. The other was round and smaller, about 2 1/2" in diameter. The taste of tastes of was good. We saved the seeds of the 2 & 1/2" rounds ones and in year 2 we planted three Black Krims in separate parts of the garden. Again the tomatoes varied significantly in size and shape despite the fact that he seeds came from the same open polloinated tomato. Two plants yielded fruit true to the tomato from which the seeds were saved, but the thirds was oxheart shaped with sporadic skin blemishes and sores with very poor taste. Very strange experience with this tomato, but the good ones are very good.
 

Reviewed on 06/24/2013 by Craig @ Ellis Hollow - An experienced gardener

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Tompkins, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

A good tomato for my garden.
 

Reviewed on 08/11/2012 by sadie - An experienced gardener

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All Counties, Ontario, Canada
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Really beautiful tomatoes. Nice taste, texture and pretty to look at. Responded very well to staking. Second only to Cherokee Purple in taste.
 

Reviewed on 12/24/2011 by IraH - An experienced gardener

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Chenango, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

i cant decide which i liked more either black krim or cherokee purple but i found the black krim to have less concentric cracking at the stem end i found taste excellent andyield very high but unfortunately during the 2011 floods i lost alot of my black krims while they were in thier prime in september to water wilt
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 10/27/2011 by GeorgeS - A novice gardener

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Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

even though the description says it is a mid season tomato, it was ripening before my Early Girl. Wonderful flavor and fairly good yield. Does crack if left on the vine too long. Try picking some when they just start to color up and finish ripening on the kitchen counter.
 

Reviewed on 10/05/2011 by A. W. Davidson - An experienced gardener

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Marion, Indiana, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Fantastic flavor but lost a lot to cracking during our long hot summer. Will try again but hope to get better yield next time. Were very popular at market when I had them.
 

Reviewed on 09/20/2010 by bayocum - An intermediate gardener

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Tulare, California, United States
Frost Free Season: More than 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

My favorite "black" tomato. The yield, in my opinion, is not great, but that's probably because I like them so much that I just want more. Not a large tomato, but just big enough to slice. Great traditional tomato flavor. I'll be planting this one every year.
 

Reviewed on 06/09/2010 by LLamaLLori - An experienced gardener

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San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

As a gardener in central California, we don't generally get random rains in our summers. Black Krim's cracking here is more our lack of watering expertice. The flavor is superior, production is plentiful. Black Krim out-does Cherokee Purple in flavor. For me is will always be a staple.
 

Reviewed on 02/01/2010 by genuinefauxfarm - An experienced gardener

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Bremer, Iowa, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

We have found the mid-size, "black" tomato that likes our farm. As with all "black/purple" tomatoes, they are often a little softer and will be more prone to cracking. You can work to avoid this by picking fruit a bit earlier and keeping any split fruit off the plant to avoid fruit rot/blight spread. We suspect they would reach peak production in a dry year with a consistent watering program. But, since we are in a wet weather pattern, we will be happy with what we get. These have a wonderful, full taste. Taste tests at the farmers' market and by CSA members resulted in every fruit - even if a bit blemished - disappearing from our sales crates in a hurry. Unlike the pictures in catalogues, we have noticed a tendency to slightly oblong fruit on some plants, whereas others stick with rounder fruits. We personally prefer Black Krim to Cherokee Purple. However, we feel they both respond to different weather situations in different ways - so we grow both. Average 20 tomatoes per plant of useful quality. With constant care, production could be as high as 30. With this plant - it is all about the taste.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 06/01/2009 by ihearthoney - A novice gardener

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Ulster, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

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Reviewed on 05/19/2009 by greengenes -

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Jackson, Oregon, United States
Frost Free Season:
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This is a superb variety of the purple Russian type. My seed was from Botanical Interests. I grew out seven plants and got 4 phenotypes, one of which was green. 4 of the plants were similar though, and produced an abundance of funky-shaped, reddish purple fruits of rare delicacy. Comparable to Cherokee Purple in flavor but with far greater yields. I will grow it again assuming I can find a more stable line.
 

Reviewed on 03/17/2009 by Sillius - An intermediate gardener

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Lorain, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

These cracked pretty badly for me, too. If you grow them i would recommend NOT letting them ripen all the way on the vine. Pick them once they have a little color, and before they crack.
 

Reviewed on 01/11/2009 by Zone5Gal - An experienced gardener

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Dane, Wisconsin, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: Less than 6 hours per day

I wanted a tasty heirloom tomato that wouldn't take 95 days to mature since I don't have that kind of time in my Zone 5 garden. 'Black Krim' appears at the top of many taste test lists, so last summer I gave it a try. 'Black Krim' is a very meaty and juicy tomato--great for sandwiches and burgers. Some of the fruits cracked, but I never lost any on the vine as a result. Yield is a little on the low side compared to newer tomatoes, but I'm willing to sacrifice yield for such a great-tasting tomato.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 08/23/2008 by Mr Wizard - An intermediate gardener

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Suffolk, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 183 - 203 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Wow! This is one of the best tasting tomatoes I ever had. It's also one of the ugliest. I had a severe problem with cat facing and cracking. The fruit with the cat facing was perfectly edible but the cracked fruit very often rotted on the vine. In all fairness the cat facing was due in part to the plant's willingness to set fruit in cold weather. The cracking was due to a very damp period in early August. Despite it's looks, my wife is already demanding that I plant this again next year. It's good enough to tolerate it's weaknesses.
 
2 of 2 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/06/2008 by lakeeriegarden - An intermediate gardener

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Lorain, Ohio, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

Black Krim's taste is incredible. Little problem with cracking and not the most prolific tomato out there but holy cow is it good.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 02/01/2008 by Kristi - An experienced gardener

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Bonneville, Idaho, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This is a great variety even in our Zone 4 garden. Stupendous flavor, juicy, unique coloring, one of our earliest heirloom varieties. Grow it every summer!
 

Reviewed on 01/18/2008 by Henbogle - An experienced gardener

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Sagadahoc, Maine, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grew Krims for the first time in '07. Plants were vigorous, the earliest to set fruit in our cool season, and not bothered by pest or disease. Fruits were very prone to cracking, and the flavor, while good, did not wow me. My husband refused to eat them fresh because of their coloration. Sigh. I did use them all in my mixed variety tomato sauce, and the sauce tastes great. For the above reasons I'll not grow them again.
 
3 of 3 gardeners found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 11/28/2007 by GardenMom - A novice gardener

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Albany, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I was hoping for much more from this tomato. The taste was good, the yield was pretty good and the little plant grew well- but it just wasn't great. The fruits were on the small side and they cracked like crazy- I don't mind a bit of cracking, but this was obtrusive, making quite a bit of the tomato inedible. A black tomato can be one of the most delicious out there, so I'm going to continue my search to find a tasty prolific one. Black Krim is definitly not it.
 

Reviewed on 11/16/2007 by starflakes - An experienced gardener

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Roberts, South Dakota, United States
Frost Free Season: 103 - 123 days
Soil Texture: Sand
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

I grew this in 2007 and it was a horrid year on the great plains for fruit. My melons and squash all died for example. Krim did ok and survived among my tomatoes. It produced very large saucer sized fruit. The seedlings sprouted well and the plants were hardy. Fruit flavor was extremely complex and well balanced as in an everything for everyone tomatoe in being sweet, musty, tomatoey, acidic in a wonderful smooth blend. The fruit kept reasonably well with the only drawback the green shoulders and deep stem were wasteful. I will grow it again sometime, but hope Backfield is added here for review as I was impressed with that determinate type.
 

Reviewed on 01/01/2007 by celeste - An intermediate gardener

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Ada, Idaho, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

This is my favorite tomato for taste (first place tie w/ Lilian's Yellow Heirloom.) It grows well - not too picky and produces a good sized crop of consistent sized tomatoes. I believe there might be two types labeled Black Krim (one w/ potato leaf, one w/ regular leaf.) My experience is with the potato leaf version.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 11/30/2006 by DD - An experienced gardener

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Linn, Iowa, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

A nice Tomato. Beautiful and tasty. It won a spot in my garden next year. Fruits were big. Everybody liked it who sampled it. It doesn't taste like a Brandywine but very good.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 09/05/2006 by zoebisch01 - An intermediate gardener

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Centre, Pennsylvania, United States
Frost Free Season: 143 - 163 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

I got seed because of the stellar reviews of this tomato. First off, it grew well...nice strong plants bearing large fruit with good resistance to cat facing and cracking. Very uniformly sized fruit. The down side (in my opinion) is It tastes ok, not nearly as fantastic as countless other varieties out there. I grew Great White, Amish Paste, Costaluto Genovese and Green Zebra this year along with the Black Krim. In terms of flavor the Black Krim is a definite last place. It lacks the deep umami flavor (known as the 5th taste of sense according to the Japanese). The fruit in general is nice and consistent, but lacks the "WOW" flavor appeal.
 

Reviewed on 04/24/2006 by danceswithferrets - A novice gardener

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Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Frost Free Season: 163 - 183 days
Soil Texture: Clay
Garden Size: Small - Less than 400 square feet (20' x 20')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

This was a very flavorful tomato, very similar is taste to other black tomatoes. It set fruit well, but the early tomatoes all had blossom end rot, which no other varieities have had in my garden. The later tomatoes were fine, and all had very good flavor. I consider it a good bit above average. I really want to try Noir de Crimee and compare.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 12/12/2005 by Paani - An experienced gardener

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St. Louis City, Missouri, United States
Frost Free Season: 123 - 143 days
Soil Texture: Loam
Garden Size: Medium - 400 square feet to 1,600 square feet
Sun Exposure: 6 to 8 hours per day

Big tomatoes that retain good texture. Fabulous sauce tomato, but equally good eaten fresh like a beefsteak tomato. Squirrels prefer them over all other varieties it seems. However, squirrel-planted bonus plants in 2005 were not of interest to the squirrels (though they continued to raid the new crop in the garden). The squirrel-planted Black Krim were left largely unstaked and unfertilized, yet showed exceptional hardiness & yield, no cracking, and cold hardiness.
 
1 of 1 gardener found this review helpful.  

Reviewed on 09/13/2004 by Catskills - An experienced gardener

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Ulster, New York, United States
Frost Free Season: Fewer than 103 days
Soil Texture: Not Sure
Garden Size: Large - More than 1,600 square feet (40' x 40')
Sun Exposure: More than 8 hours per day

2005 update: Great year for tomatoes and the Black Krim are delicious and plentiful. Recipients are delighted with them. 2004: Delicious and beautiful heirloom. Looks great on the plate with red and yellow tomatoes. Did not make it in 2004 though.
 




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