In a League of Its Own Review by Mark
Overall Rating
I grew this tomatoe in SE Pennsylvania for the first time this year (2009). I also grew Black Brandywine, and Purple Russian. The transplants were put outside on May 2, and started to ripen in early July. The Paul Robeson planst were clearly the best. Disease and insect resistant (for me anyway) - and we had a very wet late summer - and highly prolific. (Whereas the Brandywine and Purple Russian had trouble with the cool/wet weather.) The fruit was unblemished, and typical tomatoes were 8oz, although I harvested a few that were 12-16oz. One plant yielded a total of 12lb of fruit. The taste was amazing - fresh, sweet, intense "tomatoe"; the flesh firm and dark. The fruit kept well - about 10 days in a 78F kitchen (no refrigeration !). I stored most of the crop for making tomato sauce this winter. A real beauty you must try..
(Posted on 11/26/09)
Review by Chris
Overall Rating
In my opinion, Paul Robeson is the best tasting of all black tomatoes. It has an intensely rich tomato flavor common to most blacks/purples. Like some heirlooms, its not the most productive tomato in my garden...but to me the flavor is so exceptional for fresh eating that I continue to grow a plant or two every year..
(Posted on 7/8/10)
One tasty tomato Review by Maggie C
Overall Rating
We are growing over 30 varieties of tomatoes, and the Paul Robeson is so far our favorite. It was the first to produce, even beating out the cherries. It is a wonderful tomato to eat just by itself, but as the star of a tomato sandwich it is just sublime! It is a very tomato-y tomato, a rich, deep flavor combined with a juicy texture. YUM! It will definitely have a prize place in the garden next year!.
(Posted on 8/11/10)
In a League of Its Own Review by Mark
Overall Rating
I grew this tomatoe in SE Pennsylvania for the first time this year (2009). I also grew Black Brandywine, and Purple Russian. The transplants were put outside on May 2, and started to ripen in early July. The Paul Robeson planst were clearly the best. Disease and insect resistant (for me anyway) - and we had a very wet late summer - and highly prolific. (Whereas the Brandywine and Purple Russian had trouble with the cool/wet weather.) The fruit was unblemished, and typical tomatoes were 8oz, although I harvested a few that were 12-16oz. One plant yielded a total of 12lb of fruit. The taste was amazing - fresh, sweet, intense "tomatoe"; the flesh firm and dark. The fruit kept well - about 10 days in a 78F kitchen (no refrigeration !). I stored most of the crop for making tomato sauce this winter. A real beauty you must try..
(Posted on 11/26/09)
ANOTHER WINNER Review by Unknown
Overall Rating
THESE TOMATOES DON'T LOOK GREAT BUT EVERYONE LOVED THE FLAVOR OF THESE. INTERESTING SWEET AND SOMEWHAT SMOKY FLAVOR. ALWAYS SOLD OUT AT THE FARMERS MARKET HERE IN SANTA FE, NM.
(Posted on 12/4/09)
Very Tasty Review by Lomatium
Overall Rating
I grew these in 2010, and although it was not a heavy producer and the fruits are a bit on the smallish side, the flavor of these tomatoes is wonderful and well worth growing. I will continue to grow these every year I like them so well. .
(Posted on 11/29/10)
not a heavy producer but delicious. Review by jcxbecton
Overall Rating
big, beautiful fruit but not too many..
(Posted on 12/14/10)
Disappointing yield and flavor Review by Wabbit
Overall Rating
I grew these in containers last year (California Bay Area, Sunset Zone 14/15, USDA zone 8b) and was disappointed in both the yield and flavor. Like another reviewer said, the yield is light: I got one or two large tomatoes off each spindly plant, followed by another few medium tomatoes later in the summer. Maybe the plants just don't grow well in containers. I would have tried them again, if the flavor had been any good, but I found it underwhelming. The tomatoes are juicy, but I thought they were rather bland..
(Posted on 12/28/10)
Fantastic even in a cool NW summer! Review by DG100
Overall Rating
Last year we had a very short summer in Portland, OR and everyone's tomatoes ripened about a month later than normal. Because of the cooler than normal temps and late start (we didn't get summer weather till July!), it was bad year for tomatoes. I grew 5 different types and 3 varieties were almost inedible- they just tasted like water.
But the Paul Robeson was WONDERFUL! Despite the poor growing conditions, these tomatoes were sweet and juicy and beautiful. I would highly recommend this variety for NW gardeners. .
(Posted on 12/31/10)
Great producer, great taste! Review by Michael
Overall Rating
I grew this variety for the first time in 2009 and was really happy with the results. The plants out-produced all of the brandywines, cherokee purple, and beefsteak in the same garden. I thought the fruit were the best looking of the bunch too- they were all almost perfect. The taste is excellent!.
(Posted on 4/15/11)
My favorite black tomato Review by Paul
Overall Rating
I have more requests for plants of this variety than any other tomato I grow. I never have any of these left over after the farmer's market. It makes the best tomato sandwich of all the tomatoes I've grown so far. This tomato likes a lot of compost, bonemeal and greensand in the soil before planting to produce well. Go easy on the nitrogen though or you'll have huge plants but won't get many tomatoes. .
(Posted on 10/25/11)
5a canadian garden Review by Tara
Overall Rating
Like most said...not a superproducer but they were lovely. Found them a little small as well. Flavourful and nice texture!.
(Posted on 12/28/11)
