Solanum lycopersicum
Origin: Thailand
Improvement status: Cultivar
Seeds per packet: ~35
Germination tested 08/2024: 95%
Life cycle: Annual
EFN EXCLUSIVE. A unique and delicious tomato from the Thai island of Phuket, which was devastated by the 2004 tsunami. This tomato has reportedly become very rare in its place of origin due to the combination of increased development and land degradation from the tsunami's inundation. Its name means "Egg from Phuket" in German, and it is similar to the variety 'Thai Pink Egg'. The egg-shaped fruit ripen from green to white to pink/red. From William Woys Weaver, who introduced this tomato to Americans: "The Roughwood Seed Collection acquired seed for this tomato in 2000 from a German who had been there. We are not certain what Thais call the tomato but it is one of their best: as the German name implies, it is egg-shaped, greenish-white while unripe, then it ripens raspberry pink in clusters of 6 fruits. Its flavor as a green tomato is mild, thus it is used extensively in Thais curries and stir fries [at that stage]; the ripe fruit is fruity so it is often used in desserts. If you cook Southeast Asian, this tomato ought to be part of your basic vegetable pantry."
These seeds were grown by Dusty Hinz and Zach Binsfeld in Delano, Minnesota.
GROWING TIPS: Start seeds indoors in March or early or mid April at the latest transplant outside after danger of last frost. Space plants 24-36 inches apart. They will benefit from a trellis or tomato cage. Full sun preferred.
