Curtis Cheek

Indeterminate vine that ripens fruit in 80-90 days.

The fruits are big, about 1-2 pounds and are meaty, juicy, sweet, and savory. It is the perfect hamburger tomato.

The Curtis Cheek tomato was acquired by Curtis Jackson of Renaissance Farms in Bloomington Indiana. He received seeds in 2002, while visiting Pittsburgh, After admiring an old man’s tomato garden he stumbled upon during his evening walk. The old man was named Ross, he migrated to the states 45 years ago and now was in his 80’s.He brought the seeds for his tomatoes from Russia and has grown them his whole life. The only time Ross gave seeds to anyone it was his son, but destroyed them once they set fruit. He was very possessive of this tomato and despite Curtis asking for seeds, Ross would not give.

Finally Curtis asked to taste the fruit and Ross gave him a very small slice. Curtis tucked it away in his cheek and left quickly. Once out of sight, Curtis squeezed the fruit out on his shirt and was happy to have two seeds. The following spring he grew them out but only one plant lived. It is from that plant that Curtis was able to save seeds and eventually offer them to gardeners like me. Curtis waited till 2010 to name it the Curtis Cheek tomato.

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