🍅 Quick take: Orlov Yellow (often traded as Graf Orlov or Orlov Yellow Giant) is an indeterminate, mid-season Russian heirloom beefsteak. It cranks out massive, ribbed yellow-orange slicers weighing between 16 and 23 oz (450-654 g). Unlike many mild or sugary yellow heirlooms, Orlov Yellow carries an old-school tomato punch with a pronounced, lively tang, making it a favorite for growers who dislike low-acid, sugary yellows. Full summary ↓
Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zones 4-5 & 8 Experience)
Seeds came from D. Gusev. For some reason, he listed it in his catalog under the name Graf Orlov (Orlov Yellow Giant).
Indeterminate, mid-season, tall-growing variety. Yield was above average. Taste-wise, it was not really to my liking, just a bit too tart. The fruits are giant, yellow-orange beefsteaks, and my biggest one topped the scales at 23 oz (654 g).
Grew the vine in the greenhouse, and it stretched all the way up to the roof ridge.
Edited February 2, 2015 by Drosera
Indeterminate, mid-season, tall-growing variety. Yield was above average. Taste-wise, it was not really to my liking, just a bit too tart. The fruits are giant, yellow-orange beefsteaks, and my biggest one topped the scales at 23 oz (654 g).
Grew the vine in the greenhouse, and it stretched all the way up to the roof ridge.
Edited February 2, 2015 by Drosera
Lena, could yours possibly be Amana Orange? Mine was the spitting image of your Graf, completely segmented into circular lobes like orange slices. It was the only variety in my patch that looked like that.
Or was that ribbed fruit just a one-off on your vine?
Or was that ribbed fruit just a one-off on your vine?
I have never actually grown Amana Orange, but they certainly look alike in shape. They really are distinct varieties though:
Yellow with an actual tangy bite? That sounds right up my alley.
Mine turned out stellar! 👍
Every single tomato was smooth, not a catfaced or gnarly one in the bunch. Weight-wise, they were practically clones, running 16-17.6 oz (450-500 g) across the board. There is definitely a kick of acid in the flavor, but it does not spoil it one bit. Definitely bringing this one back for the looks and heavy yield!
Huge thanks to Irishka from St. Petersburg (in the red boots) for the seeds! 💐
Edited November 26, 2015 by Drosera
Every single tomato was smooth, not a catfaced or gnarly one in the bunch. Weight-wise, they were practically clones, running 16-17.6 oz (450-500 g) across the board. There is definitely a kick of acid in the flavor, but it does not spoil it one bit. Definitely bringing this one back for the looks and heavy yield!
Huge thanks to Irishka from St. Petersburg (in the red boots) for the seeds! 💐
Edited November 26, 2015 by Drosera
Seems like Orlov builds better, sweeter flavor in warmer climates.
Grew it again this season, did not disappoint! 👍
Turned out very productive in my greenhouse. Vine height was about 5 ft (1.5 m), mid-season maturity.
The fruits are massive, bright orange, flat-round beefsteaks. Meaty, sweet, and delicious, with a very nice zesty tang.
The fruits are massive, bright orange, flat-round beefsteaks. Meaty, sweet, and delicious, with a very nice zesty tang.
Full Summary: Plant, Sizing, Shape and Flavor Profile
- 🌿 Plant & Stature: Indeterminate vine with vigorous growth, reaching 5 ft (1.5 m) to over 7 ft (2.1 m) hitting the ridge in greenhouses. Performs best under cover in northern regions. Mid-season maturity.
- 📈 Yield & Beefsteak Sizing: Highly productive heirloom. Fruits are oblate, segmented, and lobed, routinely weighing 16 to 17.6 oz (450-500 g), with top-end specimens reaching 23 oz (654 g). Growers note surprising smoothness and lack of catfacing despite the deep ribbing.
- 👅 Flavor & Acid Balance: Unlike the mild, almost sugar-water profile typical of many yellow and orange beefsteaks, Orlov Yellow packs a noticeably brisk acidity. In cool, overcast northern summers, some find it a bit too tart; with proper heat and sunshine, it delivers a rich, sweet flavor balanced by a refreshing, zesty kick.
- 🌎 Who Reviewed It: Five experienced growers across USDA Zones 4, 5, and 8 (Kostroma, Moscow, Belarus, Bashkortostan, and Western Europe).
🍅 Have you grown Orlov Yellow (or Graf Orlov)? Did you get a sugary balance or that old-school zesty tang? Tell us your summer temps, fruit sizes, and zone in the comments below!
👨🌾 Editor’s Note: Orlov Yellow vs. Amana Orange & The Tang Factor
Orlov Yellow (listed in Russian catalogs as Graf Orlov or Orlov Yellow Giant) shares a visually similar ribbed, segmented profile with the Iowa heirloom Amana Orange, which frequently causes confusion in seed swaps. However, the internal flavor profiles are quite different: while Amana Orange leans intensely sweet and low-acid, Orlov Yellow carries high total acidity alongside its sugars. In cooler northern microclimates (like Kostroma), this can taste noticeably sharp, whereas warm summers round it out into a balanced, complex slicer.
Orlov Yellow (listed in Russian catalogs as Graf Orlov or Orlov Yellow Giant) shares a visually similar ribbed, segmented profile with the Iowa heirloom Amana Orange, which frequently causes confusion in seed swaps. However, the internal flavor profiles are quite different: while Amana Orange leans intensely sweet and low-acid, Orlov Yellow carries high total acidity alongside its sugars. In cooler northern microclimates (like Kostroma), this can taste noticeably sharp, whereas warm summers round it out into a balanced, complex slicer.
