🍅 Quick take: Krab (translating to “Crab”) is a highly productive indeterminate variety that produces absolutely massive beefsteaks. Growers report fruits pushing 1.5 to 1.7 lbs (700-800 g). The vines grow to about 5-5.5 ft (1.5-1.7 m) in a greenhouse setting. It is praised for its heavy yields, huge fruit size, and excellent classic flavor. Full summary ↓
Growers’ Notes and Photos (USDA Zone 4 Experience)
Seeds are from Alexandrov. In the photo, it’s the one on the right, Brutus is on the left. I have a separate photo of it somewhere, if I find it I’ll post it up. The biggest ones pushed 1.5-1.7 lbs (700-800 g).
I really liked this variety. It’s a heavy yielder, massive fruits, and tastes great.
How tall did the plant get?
Alex, what’s the growth habit on this one, det or indet? Did you have it in the greenhouse or outdoors? And what was the height?
Grew it in the greenhouse. It’s an indet, definitely reached about 5-5.5 ft (1.5-1.7 m) tall.
Full Summary: Plant, Yield, Taste and Vigor
- 🌿 Plant: Indeterminate vine. Reaches about 5-5.5 ft (1.5-1.7 m) when grown in a greenhouse. It produces giant, meaty beefsteaks that can easily weigh up to 1.5-1.7 lbs (700-800 g).
- 📈 Yield: Rated as highly productive (a heavy yielder), which is impressive considering the massive size of individual fruits.
- 👅 Taste: Very good. It delivers that classic, satisfying flavor you expect from a giant slicer.
- 🛡️ Vigor & Resilience: Performs very well in a greenhouse environment where it has the support and warmth needed to bulk up those giant tomatoes.
👨🌾 Editor’s Note: The “Crab” Tomatoes
In Russian tomato breeding, the name “Krab” (Crab) or “Yaponskiy Krab” (Japanese Crab) is often given to large, oblate, and heavily ribbed beefsteaks. The ribs and wide shoulders sort of resemble the shape of a crab shell. They are widely beloved by Russian gardeners for their massive size and dense, meaty texture that’s perfect for fresh slicing.
In Russian tomato breeding, the name “Krab” (Crab) or “Yaponskiy Krab” (Japanese Crab) is often given to large, oblate, and heavily ribbed beefsteaks. The ribs and wide shoulders sort of resemble the shape of a crab shell. They are widely beloved by Russian gardeners for their massive size and dense, meaty texture that’s perfect for fresh slicing.
