Cherokee Chocolate Tomato
Price: $3.45
SKU: 3400911This variety originated in the garden of heirloom tomato collector Craig LeHoullier in 1995. After determining that it was stable, Craig named it, shared it with seed savers, and sent us seeds. 'Cherokee Chocolate' was introduced commercially to the general public by the Victory Seed Company in 2004.
Fruit Color: Black
Special Groups: "Epic" Tomatoes
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Full light and cooler temps (60° to 70°) will help to prevent the seedlings from becoming too leggy. If plants become rootbound before you can safely set them into the ground, transplant them into larger pots.
Harden off plants before planting outside. Young plants are very susceptible to frost and sunburn damage. Avoid too much nitrogen. Water evenly but not in excess.
Click here to view our full tomato growing guide.
- "100 Heirloom Tomatoes for the American Garden," Dr. Carolyn Male, Workman Publishing, 1999, pages 82-83.
- "Epic Tomatoes: How To Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time," Craig LeHoullier, Storey Publishing, 2015, page 10, 35, 52, 108, 212.
Customer Reviews:
By Tammy Miller (Oklahoma) on April 2, 2025
Only 60 percent germination. I start 3000 tomato plants each year for sales and gardens. Was disappointed in the lower germination of this variety.
By Aaron B. on November 23, 2015
Excellent flavor. The best tomato I've ever eaten, no exaggeration. Amend the soil annually, and these guys will grow tomatoes the size of grapefruits, with the flavor intensity of ramen noodles. Though the yield has always seemed less compared to globe tomatoes, this is just an illusion; it only takes about three 'Cherokee Chocolates' to fill a quart jar with tomato sauce. Best tomato on the market.
By Michael Cornwell on July 18, 2013
The plants had great vigorous growth in new beds that I put together but after getting about 2 foot tall they've developed yellow and black spots (fungus). Since then they've been taken over by stink bugs and I haven't eaten a single tomato. I was getting ready to pick 5 or 6 of them, and just went outside, all of them destroyed. Go figure. Not really what to rate them on since I still haven't eaten any, and I'll be surprised if I am able to eat any of them.<br>
By Tammy Wenzl on August 23, 2011
i am from NJ and i know a good tomato when i see one and this was it, huge tomatoes juicy, big healthy plants also, good pick if you want a beefsteak type tomato
By ADELE SAAF on February 7, 2011
This is the most delicious tomato in the universe. We have tried numerous heirloom tomatoes over the years, and have found nothing to equal its flavor. Try it--you will not regret it!
