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Kingsville, ON (June 8th) – With its specialty tomato offering continuing to expand each season, Mastronardi Produce/SUNSET® has begun delivering the European sensation ‘Kumato™ Tomato’; the simply unique BROWN tomato, to retailers across North America.
“We continue our worldwide research & development of unique, flavorful, gourmet tomatoes and in launching the Kumato™ in North America, believe this authentic European variety will be a hit with tomato connoisseurs,” said Paul Mastronardi, Executive Vice-President. “For years consumers throughout Europe have enjoyed the Kumato™, we are now very excited to grow it in our own greenhouses and have consumers on this side of the ocean enjoy it, “said Mastronardi.
With a color ranging from dark brown to golden brown, at a first glance you may think of unripe fruits, or even of a bitter taste. Don’t be fooled by appearances: this is the natural look of SUNSET® Kumato™ tomatoes. In spite of their unusual appearance, this family of tomatoes has an intense, unique and very savory taste. A higher sweetness than traditional tomatoes, it is counterbalanced by slightly acid tastes, which all together give a well defined, unique flavor. SUNSET® Kumato™ tomatoes are also very juicy with a firm texture, which makes them the best choice for outstanding salads, hors d’oeurves, but also for many other tomato-based recipes.
“We need to educate consumers on how to use specialty tomatoes, it’s more than just chopping them and putting them in to salads”, stated Mastronardi. “The Kumato™ is a unique tomato experience, its deep color nurtures intense flavor and aroma that I have yet to see in any other specialty variety, it’s a beautiful piece of fruit. I personally just cut them in to slices and sprinkle a little sea salt on them,” concluded Paul Mastronardi.
When Mastronardi unveiled its new green initiative & updated brand creative for labels & boxes at the United Show in April, one of the key updates included new gourmet recipes prepared by SUNSET® Executive Chef Kathy Casey on the backs of all SUNSET® labels. “Consumers are eating more at home again and in doing so, are searching for unique recipes,” said Chris Veillon, Marketing Manager.
The new SUNSET® Kumato™ label displays a ripeness chart on the front of the label that shows customers at what stage of color the tomato is best to be eaten at. This is part of the ongoing process Mastronardi is rolling out to educate consumers on tomato usage and consumption.
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