Chocolate Lightning Tomato
Price: $3.10
SKU: 3403111
Determinate. 80 days, dwarf — The vigorous, rugose, regular leaf plants are among the taller growing of the new dwarf varieties. The plants produce excellent yields of medium sized (four to eight ounce) smooth, slightly oblate chocolate colored tomatoes with jagged green and gold stripes. The rich crimson flesh has the intense flavor of black tomatoes but with great balance.
'Chocolate Lightning' was bred by the "Dwarf Tomato Project" and introduced commercially by the Victory Seed Company for the 2015 gardening season. This variety originated with a cross between 'Dwarf Wild Fred' and 'Beauty King' made by Vince Lavallo and named "Beauty." 'Chocolate Lightning' was selected and named by Vince.
The "Beauty family" is very complex and a few surprises could result when growing this variety, with stripes of different colors. Among those who contributed to stabilizing this new dwarf variety are Robin Bort, Susan Oliverson, Lisa Moore, Patrick Sullivan, Bill Yoder, Roberto, Caro del Castillo, Desire Sommers, Jenna D'Amore, Bill Minkey, and Craig LeHoullier. Each packet contains approximately 20 seeds.
Fruit Color: Black
Special Groups: Container Friendly
Special Groups: Dwarf Tomato Project
Harvest Timing: Early/Short Season
Harvest Timing: Main Crop / Mid-Season
Customer Reviews:
By RW (Santa Rosa CA) on October 28, 2023
I can't seem to edit my previous review, so here's a new one: I grew Chocolate Lightning for the second time this year. Whereas last year I got only a few small tomatoes, this year I got a good yield of 6+ oz fruit--and they are DELICIOUS. This tomato is a keeper. In my garden, Chocolate Lighting came in very late. The first fruit didn't ripen until late September, and it is still going strong on October 28th. This worked well for me, as I also grew Adelaid Festival, which started early and was winding down when Chocolate Lighting started. Both are absolutely delicious tomatoes. I'll grow both again next year.
By RW (Santa Rosa CA) on February 18, 2023
2022 was my first year growing dwarf tomatoes. I grew Chocolate Lightning and Boronia, and distributed seedlings to family and friends. Both varieties grew into robust, healthy plants that withstood last year's poor summer conditions (cool and foggy with periodic 100+ heat waves, plus early rain followed by a hot fall) MUCH better than any of the other tomatoes in my garden. Chocolate Lightning produced beautiful, complex flavored fruit (sweet, with a bacon-like flavor). This year's plants were not productive and the fruit was small--most being about the size of a large egg. It was a rough year for tomatoes though, and the few I did get were delicious enough that I'll try again.
I'm impressed with the robust growth and durability of both the varieties we tried. I'll definitely try new varieties this year. Between us, we grew these in raised beds, earth boxes, half-barrels and directly in the ground. Both Boronia and Chocolate Lightning did well in all locations. Given how unpredictable summer weather is becoming, the resilience of these plants is a big plus and I'm excited to try other varieties.
By Craig LeHoullier on February 7, 2022
Think of a tomato the color of Cherokee Chocolate - rich, deep brick red/brown - then add vertical jagged stripes of greenish gold. Slice and find a rich crimson interior. Another wonderful find in our Beauty family, the foliage is dense (the plant benefits from some inner leaf pruning), and it is a later setting and maturing variety. The medium sized, smooth oblate fruit are as tasty as they are eye catching. It is one of my favorites from our project.
