Tomato – Golden Bell
Solanum lycopersicum
Golden Bell is a variety of ‘tangerine’ type tomato to have a significant amount of Tetra-cis-lycopene, tested by the non-profit organization Heritage Food Crops Research Trust, located in Whanganui, New Zealand. Golden Bell, a unique bell shaped ‘tangerine’ tomato that is somewhat pleated at the stem, contains Tetra-cis-lycopene in the amount of 7.61 mg per 100gm fresh weight.
Tetra-cis-lycopene is only found in certain varieties of golden-orange tomatoes, which can only be determined by scientific research. Other orange colored tomatoes will be higher in beta carotene, while the type of lycopene will be the same as that found in red tomatoes. The benefit of Tetra-cis-lycopene is that it has a different molecular structure, allowing for easy and complete absorption without heating.
Photo’s will be posted soon!
Height: Indeterminate
Tetra-cis-lycopene: 7.61
Acid: Mid-range
Days to Harvest: 85
Fruit Size: 8 oz to 10 oz
Deer Resistant: no
Fruit: Meaty
Fruit Color: orange
Plant Color: green
Life Cycle: annual
Spacing: 2′ to 3′
Juglone Tolerant: no
Sunlight: full
Soil: well-drained
Water: consistent
Design Styles: food garden, potager
History
Golden Bell is a more recently developed variety. Mark Christensen of the Heritage Food Crops Research Trust was sent the seeds from Lesley Craig in 2020, stating that this plant appeared in her garden.
She was given a beefsteak tomato named Beachmans (Coromandle variety) and grew it near an Oxheart tomato and a small orange tomato. The Golden Bell appears to have been the outcome of the cross between these plants. Mark has named it Golden Bell, and all the seeds we grew out produced true to type.
Since this is a relatively new variety there may be some genetic throw back to the parent lines. It takes on average 7-12 years to stabilize a hybrid into an open pollinated line.
Uses
These are ways you can use this plant in your landscape or farm:
These are ways you can use this plant in your landscape or farm:
* potager
* kitchen garden
* informal summer vining plant
Design
You can place the Golden Grape tomato in a potager, kitchen garden, and as a vine inter-planted with cardinal flower.
Benefits
By choosing the Golden Bell tomato, you will be feeding your body a high tetra-cis-lycopene amount. The vine is not high producing, so savor this variety while it’s available!
Parting Thoughts
Golden Bell produces few fruits with limited seeds. It is a larger meaty tomato good for salads, and to eat on a sandwich (few worries of the bread going soggy), as well as in cold pasta dishes and soups. The only way to get all the health benefits of this ‘tangerine’ type tomato is to buy from a local farmer or farmers cooperative, or to grow it in your own garden.
According to Dr. William W. Li in his book Eat to Beat Your Diet, “…lycopene activates thermogenesis in brown fat (found in the body) and staves off the creation of new fat cells. It is also anti-inflammatory and can starve cancer and fat by reducing their blood supply.”
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