IT IS THE FRUITS OF THE FIRST RESEARCH WORK IN THIS FIELD THAT IS CARRIED OUT IN THE ARCHIPELAGO.

The Cabildo of Tenerife has presented this book whose authors are Leonardo J. Amador, Belarmino Santos and Domingo Ríos.

The publication, considered a national reference for including the largest number of morphological descriptors of this vegetable, describes a total 59 traditional varieties of tomatoes present in all the Islands, like the round smooth tomato, salad, cocktail redondo, aperado or pepper type cocktail, among others.

The study that was promoted by Crops and Agrarian Technology of Tenerife, Cultesa, in collaboration with the University of La Laguna and the Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation Center of Tenerife, CCBAT, reflects the great biodiversity that exists in the Archipelago and the importance of studying local varieties of tomatoes so that they regain prominence in agriculture.

According to its authors, knowing the most unique characteristics of the range of tomato varieties will serve as a basis for working on the selection and improvement of the most interesting ones so that, in the medium term, can become a business opportunity for Canarian farmers.

Many of these varieties - highly appreciated for their flavor but which only survive in the memories of older farmers- They are typical of a certain area from which they receive the name or, failing that, They are known as varieties “of the country” o “land”.

The black apple tomato, moscatel, rooster egg, expert, martina or cana morada are some examples of these great and unknown agricultural jewels that are especially relevant for their excellent flavor.

The importance of tomato cultivation in the socioeconomic structure of the Canary Islands, The decrease in the cultivated area during the last decade and the search for differentiated, high-quality products were some of the factors that led Cultesa four years ago to promote research on the collection of ancient tomatoes from the Canary Islands..

In addition to the morphological characterization of the traditional tomato varieties in the Canary Islands, The project has also contemplated the molecular characterization, agronomic evaluation, chemical composition, nutritional value, Organoleptic evaluation and consumer tastings.