🍅 Quick take: Curious Chichiko is an indeterminate red paste variety known for its distinct elongated shape featuring a prominent, thick beak. Weighing in at 3.5-5 oz, these firm, crack-resistant plums have a surprisingly sweet, sparkling watermelon-like texture inside. With an excellent shelf life and the perfect shape for standing upright in mason jars, it is a fantastic choice for home canners. Full summary ↓
Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zone 6 Experience)
Curious Chichiko
Indeterminate vine, reaches about 4.5 ft (140 cm). Fruit weight is around 3.5-5 oz (100-150 g). Best transplanted when seedlings are 55-65 days old. Does well in the greenhouse and outdoors in the dirt. Prune to 1 or 2 leaders.
The fruits are red, elongated, somewhat bumpy plums with a large, thick beak on the blossom end. The skin is firm and doesn’t crack. Inside, it has a sparkling, sugary watermelon-like texture, very juicy and sweet. They have a really funny shape to them, and they keep very well on the counter. Absolutely perfect for packing upright into canning jars.
Full Summary: Plant, Yield, and Taste
- 🌿 Plant: Indeterminate, though relatively compact at around 4.5 ft (140 cm). Performs well both in greenhouses and outdoors. Recommended to be pruned to 1 or 2 main stems. Seedlings should be set out at 55-65 days old.
- 📈 Yield: Reliable producer of firm, crack-resistant paste tomatoes. Excellent shelf life makes it easy to save up a big batch for processing days.
- 👅 Taste & Appearance: Striking, elongated red plums with a prominent beak (nipple) on the blossom end. They weigh 3.5-5 oz (100-150 g). Unlike many dry paste tomatoes, this one features a juicy, sugary “watermelon-type” flesh that is noticeably sweet. The uniform, elongated shape makes them ideal for packing vertically into mason jars for whole-peeled canning.
- 🌎 Who Reviewed It: Grown in Volgograd (USDA Zone 6), an area with long, hot summers, proving it has good heat tolerance and skin durability.
🍅 Grown Curious Chichiko? Drop a comment below to share your growing zone, your yields, and your photos!
👨🌾 Editor’s Note: “Watermelon Flesh” Texture
In Russian tomato culture, growers often describe the texture of certain tomatoes as having watermelon-type flesh. This refers to a very specific interior texture that is sparkling, granular, and “melting” in the mouth, as opposed to being slick, gel-heavy, or densely fibrous. It’s highly prized for fresh eating, making this variety a rare dual-purpose plum that excels in both canning and fresh salads!
In Russian tomato culture, growers often describe the texture of certain tomatoes as having watermelon-type flesh. This refers to a very specific interior texture that is sparkling, granular, and “melting” in the mouth, as opposed to being slick, gel-heavy, or densely fibrous. It’s highly prized for fresh eating, making this variety a rare dual-purpose plum that excels in both canning and fresh salads!
