Red, Plum shaped paste tomato on Indeterminate plants.
Description
Grown for the first time in 2018 with seeds from a seed swap, we were interested to see how this grew.
King Humbert (also Koenig Humbert) seems to be named after King Umberto I (Italy c 1878) whose consort Margherita inspired the pizza of that name. It was trialled in 1887 (and is therefore an Heritage by definition) by the RHS who said, “An extraordinary cropper, the fruit borne in clusters of 10-20.” Also mentioned by Vilmorin-Andrieux (1885). The medium-sized, scarlet, plum fruits are good for salads and cooked well.
As such it compares to San Marzano, Kibits Ukranian and Radana (as well as many others). It was slightly later than Radana (but then they are larger tomatoes) but not as dry as many paste tomatoes.
King Humbert – reasonably juicy 
King Humbert
Quick Facts
- Fruit Type: Paste
- Fruit Shape: Plum
- Fruit Size: Medium (2-3 oz)
- Fruit Colour: Red
- Flesh Colour: Red
- Plant Type: Indeterminate
- Leaf Type: Regular
- Seed Type: Heritage
- Ripe Days: Early (55-65 days)
- Taste: Paste but OK uncooked
- Our Source: 2017 Seed Swap
- Origin: Italy?
- Alternatives: Radana, San Marzano, Roma
- Fruit per Truss: 4-8
- Truss Spacing: 15-18 inches
We haven’t found a commercial source for this cultivar if you know of one, let us know.
Updated: 17/01/2021