No. 011 · heirloom
Paul Robeson
Paul Robeson is an indeterminate heirloom beefsteak with brick red to mahogany with dark green shoulders fruit. It ripens in about 78 days.
Flavor
Described by seed catalogs as distinctively sweet and smoky with a good balance of acid and sweetness, earning a cult following among seed savers. Flavor is subjective, so treat this as the recurring catalog and grower description rather than a measured fact for your garden.
Origin
A Russian heirloom said to have been developed in 20th century Soviet Siberia, with the developer unknown. The story goes it was named for the American singer and activist Paul Robeson, who was widely admired in the Soviet Union. It won top taste honors at the Carmel, California Tomatofest in 2001 and 2002.
What it does well
- Distinctive smoky flavor prized by seed savers
- Sets fruit at lower temperatures for cooler climates
- Attractive dusky color
Where it frustrates
- Some tendency to split
- Indeterminate vines need staking
- Yields can be modest for the plant size
Like Paul Robeson, but...
Sold out, or after a change? The closest alternatives, and how they differ.
Where to buy seed
Sources
- Paul Robeson tomato · Wikipedia
- Paul Robeson Organic Slicing Tomato · Fedco Seeds