Take two adventurous Jamaicans, one of Lebanese extract, the other a one- time farm worker, throw in a few tomato seeds, 1/4 acre of land at Tremolsworth (about two miles out of Highgate, St Mary) lots of Jamaican sunshine and a cycle of 80-85 days. The result is three of the most delicious varieties of tomato ever tasted this side of the world (truth be told, in many a metropolis known for good food).

Kingston’s unofficial foodie society is also gushing over the most spectacular gourmet tomatoes ever cultivated locally.

It all began, according to accidental farmer Najeeb Haber, (he studied Industrial Engineering Technology at FIU as well as refrigeration engineering technology at Miami Dade) “about a year ago (he has just planted the second batch) when Milton Campbell, a friend and a recently returned farm worker brought back to Jamaica some tomato seeds. We planted the seeds and got really excited with the crop and introduced them to restaurateur Gary Ferguson. Ferguson in turn introduced them to chef extraordinaire Norma Shirley, and the rest as they say is. or at least until the next batch in July”. That’s right! The crop is finished, all grabbed up by Ferguson, Shirley, Sandals Ocho Rios and Jamaica Grande.

Like us who barely caught the tail-end of these gourmet wonders, other foodies wait with much gourmet impatience for July…

The Three Varieties

Amana Orange

Described by Haber as “real orange in colour both on the inside as well as outside. It can weigh as much as 2lb although the average size is 1lb.

The Amana Orange is basket-like in shape with a wonderful taste. It’s also a semi-hard tomato. Neither too hard nor too soft.

Lemon Boy

This one is round in shape and looks like a lemon. When sliced the colour inside is similar to that on the outside. Its colour can be deceptive, meaning that it looks sour but has in fact a very good flavour, all 1/4 lb of it.

The Purple Delicious

varies from 1lb to 11/2 lb and has a shape similar to the Amana Orange. The taste is as delicate as its shelf life. Its final colour, like a really sweet grape, is a deep rich purple.

With tomatoes heralded as one of the wonder foods and also excellent for the prostate, we suspect that these reluctant tomato farmers will have a lot more tilling to do.