aaAfter ten years of development, Syngenta is launching the world’s first Mini Kumato® tomatoes into fifty Marks and Spencer stores.
Originating from a ‘lost’ wild tomato, the Mini Kumato® has been developed by Syngenta specifically for UK tastes through traditional cross-breeding, and will herald a unique new taste experience for British consumers.
Unlike other tomatoes, the Mini Kumato® can be eaten at all stages of the ripening process, challenging the popular British view that ripe tomatoes must be ‘red’.
From a ‘dark green’ skin with a mild clean taste for slicing, the Mini Kumato transitions to a ‘dark brown’ skin with a sweet spicy aroma, ideal for salads and sandwiches, and finally to a ‘dark red’ skin with juiciness and round sweet notes best for cooking.
Dr. Ian Puddephat, Syngenta sensory scientist, who helped develop the Mini Kumato® says: “While Continental Europeans and Americans have eaten multi-coloured tomatoes for years, British consumers have traditionally only bought red. Our research reveals that the British palette has now ‘ripened’ and the UK shopper is ready to try new things.
“Our Mini Kumato® is a multi-coloured intense taste sensation that will challenge the British misconception that only ‘red’ tomatoes are ripe, tasty and ready to eat.”
The Mini Kumato® is grown in Lancashire, where the climate is mild enough to grow the seeds, due to the warm gulfstream passing the Irish Sea.
Syngenta research also reveals that over half of UK consumers keep tomatoes in the fridge, which dramatically reduces flavour. All tomatoes including the Mini Kumato® are best left to ripen at room temperature.
For more information on Syngenta, visit: www.syngenta.com
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