If you talk about something without skin and without seeds, it might sound a bit like a Frankenstein horror, but in the world of horticulture we all know it can be something to look out for. At least, the team at Thompson & Morgan has been on the lookout for it. "Gardeners told us what holds them back from eating tomatoes, so we bred one that fixes it all," says Peter Freeman, New Product Development Manager, when talking about the launch of their new tomato, Meltaway F1, which is available as potted plant.
Thompson & Morgan is the UK's largest mail-order seed and plant company, specialising in breeding F1 hybrids as well as open-pollinated flower seeds. Their newest variety is Meltaway, which they describe as a virtually seedless, skinless tomato. "All the sweetness, none of the seeds."
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Gummy skin
According to the company, typical cherry tomatoes with a classic taste and familiar flavour are juicy, but firm and tough, and full of seeds. Their new Meltaway variety is virtually seedless, with a gummy, easy-to-bite skin and a melt-in-the-mouth sweetness.
"Removing both seeds and skin without compromising flavour is a real breakthrough," the team explains. "It gives a tomato that's easy to eat, like a sweet." According to the team, it's the perfect variety for those who thought they did not like tomatoes.
"It's remarkable," says Peter. "The texture is soft and gummy, they taste pure and sweet. Everyone who has tried it in our taste trials went back for another, even those who aren't fans of traditional tomatoes—it's a genuine breakthrough in tomato breeding and the eating experience."
Dispatching from late spring as a peat-free 9cm potted plant.
