I was fascinated by De Pinto. As she ripened, this gorgeous little brown shoulder appeared across the top of the fruit, finishing with a distinctive wee nipple — something I haven't really seen in a cherry-sized tomato for a long while.

The fruit were firm and I didn't have a single one crack, which really stood out to me. I found the flavour both sweet and tart, and I can absolutely see why De Pinto has survived as a sauce and preserving tomato. These are easily good enough to eat straight off the vine — which is exactly what I did.

Type: Indeterminate, regular leaf
Days to Maturity: Mid-season — I wouldn't invent an exact 75/80-day figure because I haven't found a reliable primary source giving one
Fruit Size: Small, approximately 45–60 g
Colour: Red, developing beautiful brown/golden shoulders as it ripens
Shape: Small plum/oval fruit with a distinctive pointed blossom end — that little “nipple”
Flavour: Sweet and tart
Texture: Firm, dense and meaty
Best For: Fresh eating, sauce, preserving, bottling, roasting and freezing
Growth: Vigorous indeterminate; productive vines benefit from strong staking
Origin: Italian-American family heirloom.