Chocolate Cherry
Solanum lycopersicum 'Chocolate Cherry'
An extraordinary cherry tomato that produces abundant clusters of small, mahogany-brown fruits with an incredibly complex flavor profile. The rich, wine-like taste with hints of smokiness makes these tiny treasures a gourmet favorite for fresh eating and elegant garnishes. Their unusual color and exceptional flavor make them a conversation starter in any garden.
Harvest
65-75d
Days to harvest
Sun
Blossom-End Rot of Tomato
Zones
10–11
USDA hardiness
Height
1-10 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Chocolate Cherry in USDA Zone 7
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Chocolate Cherry · Zones 10–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April – April | June – July | — | August – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | June – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 5 | March – March | May – June | — | August – October |
| Zone 6 | March – March | May – June | — | July – September |
| Zone 7 | February – March | April – May | — | July – September |
| Zone 8 | February – February | April – May | — | June – August |
| Zone 9 | January – January | March – April | — | May – July |
| Zone 10 | January – January | February – March | — | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Water: Blossom-End Rot of Tomato, Pepper, and Watermelon. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruits are smooth, shiny, glossy, and are classified as berries. The size, shape, and color will vary depending on the variety or cultivar. The color of the fruits may be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or pink. The fruits may contain over 100 yellow to light brown seeds.
Color: Gold/Yellow, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, Variegated. Type: Berry. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
Storage & Preservation
Store ripe Chocolate Cherry tomatoes at room temperature for 2-3 days maximum – their thin skins and high moisture content make them highly perishable. For slightly firmer fruits, refrigerate for up to one week, but bring to room temperature before serving to restore full flavor complexity.
Due to their small size and delicate texture, these tomatoes are best preserved through dehydrating rather than canning. Slice in half and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored dried tomatoes perfect for winter cooking. You can also freeze whole fruits in freezer bags for later use in soups and sauces, though the texture will be soft after thawing.
For gourmet applications, consider quick-pickling in white wine vinegar with herbs to preserve their unique flavor profile, or incorporate into tomato powder blends for a complex umami seasoning that captures their distinctive wine-like taste.
History & Origin
Chocolate Cherry is believed to have originated from European heirloom varieties, though its exact parentage remains unclear due to limited documentation common with many heirloom tomatoes. The variety likely developed through natural selection and careful seed saving by home gardeners who prized its unusual coloration and complex flavor profile.
This variety gained popularity among specialty growers and farmers market vendors in the early 2000s as consumers developed more sophisticated palates for unique tomato varieties. Its distinctive mahogany color comes from high levels of anthocyanins and other pigments that also contribute to its wine-like flavor complexity.
The 'chocolate' name refers to both its rich brown color and the deep, complex flavor reminiscent of fine wine or aged balsamic vinegar. Unlike many commercial varieties bred for shipping and shelf life, Chocolate Cherry represents the heirloom tradition of selecting for exceptional flavor over commercial practicality. Today, it's particularly valued by restaurant chefs and home gardeners seeking conversation-starting varieties that offer genuine culinary distinction beyond novelty.
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Pollinators, Predatory Insects
- +Wildlife value: The plant is pollinated by bees, especially bumblebees.
- +Edible: The fruits or berries of the tomato are edible. They may be eaten raw, cooked, dried, or processed. They are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folic acid, and antioxidants. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives the tomato its rich red color. Many plants will drop fruit when ripe or the fruit will come off easily. Tomatoes will continue to ripen once picked. Store them at room temperature.
- +Fast-growing
Considerations
- -Toxic (Leaves, Stems): Medium severity
- -High maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Basil
Repels aphids and whiteflies, may improve tomato flavor
Marigold
Deters nematodes and whiteflies with natural compounds
Carrots
Aerates soil and doesn't compete for nutrients
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Chives
Repels aphids and may help prevent fungal diseases
Nasturtium
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles
Lettuce
Provides ground cover and utilizes different soil layers
Oregano
Repels pests and attracts beneficial pollinators
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that causes tomato wilt and stunted growth
Fennel
Inhibits growth through allelopathic compounds
Corn
Both attract tomato hornworms and corn earworms
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Limited disease resistance typical of heirloom varieties
Common Pests
Aphids, whiteflies, tomato hornworm, spider mites
Diseases
Late blight, early blight, cracking in wet weather