Baku tomatoes enjoy unprecedented popularity among Russian consumers. Fragrant, tasty, very juicy and sweet fruits seem to be filled with the sun of Azerbaijan. Their unique rich aroma and taste cannot be compared with other varieties. Baku tomatoes, even as an independent dish, are beautiful and multifaceted. And as an addition to the barbecue, you simply cannot find the best vegetable, and the pizza is obtained with a completely different aroma and taste. You can also make an excellent salad of Baku tomatoes.
The birthplace of Baku tomatoes
Today, many market sellers are trying to sell tomatoes of other varieties, passing them off as Baku ones. After all, juicy, the best and most attractive fruits are grown in the village of Zira, located not far from Baku, 50 kilometers to the east. The great taste of tomatoes is well known to any resident of the capital of Azerbaijan.
There are some versions of where the name of this settlement came from. For example, that the village of Zira came from the name of a popular spice with the same name,which has been cultivated here for quite some time. On the other hand, it is believed that the origin of the name comes from the Arabic word "ziraat", which means "agriculture" in translation. Of the two options, the second is more realistic, because the soil in this village is very fertile, and the air gives off a rare freshness that you will not find in other regions of Absheron. The reason for this is the fact that Zira is separated from the Caspian coast by s alt lakes, which purify the air and give the climate additional humidity.
Today, the main source of income on these lands is the cultivation of vegetables, including Baku tomatoes.
Expert observations
Baku tomato should not be impressive in size, has a uniform light red tint and a thin but strong skin. In case of drying, it will wrinkle, but the integrity of the cover will not lose.
Real fruits are grown under the Absheron sun from May to October. The rest of the time the vegetable is grown in greenhouses under lamps. Naturally, the taste qualities of seasonal and greenhouse tomatoes vary significantly.
The cost of Baku tomatoes and where to buy
Tomatoes can safely be attributed to the most consumed vegetable. If you have a desire to experience the real and unique taste of Baku tomatoes, then go to the best place to buy these vegetables in Baku - Teze Bazar market. He isshopping multi-storey center and is located on Samed Vurgun street. All products at "Teza Bazaar" are of excellent quality and at reasonable prices.
Let's go through the shelves in search of Baku tomatoes. Oh found! Baku tomatoes at the Teze Bazar market cost a couple of manats per kilo, that is, about seventy rubles in our money. That's not much for this incredibly tasty vegetable.
Baku tomatoes in our markets
If you are on the Russian market, and you are convinced that this tomato is from Azerbaijan, then your doubts are understandable. After all, based on the data of the Rosselkhoznadzor, only seven percent of the total volume of tomatoes in Russia comes from Azerbaijan.
If, nevertheless, the seller assures that his goods are from Azerbaijani fields, then the path will cut one of the tomatoes in half. Baku tomato will give itself the same color of pulp and skin, and its seeds will be white, not green. Unknowing buyers are convinced that if there is a stalk, then this product is fresh. This is not true. In truth, if a tomato has a branch, it means growing it in a greenhouse, while real tomatoes from Baku are grown in the open air, and the stalk is separated, even if the tomato is not fully ripe. If you see white spots or pigments on the skin, this means abundant watering with chemicals. If the color of the inner and outer is uneven, or the flesh is white, then we can safely talk about the ripening of this vegetable using chemicals or the fruit was affected by a viral infection. But Bakutomatoes (photo attached) do not fertilize, because they always have enough heat and light. In addition, the cost of fertilizers in Azerbaijan is quite impressive.
"Internal" variety features and cooking
These tomatoes have a slightly sweet flavor. They contain a rich set of vitamins C, group B1, PP, provitamin A, minerals, sugar, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Ca and P. Baku tomatoes also contain a very important element - lycopene. Lycopene gives tomatoes a red tint, is a powerful natural antioxidant, reduces the risk of pathologies of the cardiovascular system and various oncological diseases. The most useful tomatoes are those that have a high content of carotene and vitamin C. Compared to greenhouse vegetables, grown in the sun have a large amount of nutrients.
Because of the juiciness, the fruits are perfect for consumption both fresh and fermented. These tomatoes can be baked in the oven without the hassle.
Baku tomatoes: varieties
Tomato Baku large-fruited
This is a mid-season variety. It is grown up in an open ground and film shelters. The plant is determinant. Requires binding and shaping. The fruits are fleshy, flat-round, large, weighing up to 300 g. Color - raspberry. The variety tolerates temperature fluctuations well. Large-fruited Baku tomato, reviews of which are only positive, is used for fresh consumption, preparation of tomato paste, juices and ketchup.
Baku pink tomatoes
The variety is small in size, has a thin skin and juicy, fleshy and sweet pulp. Pink tomatoes have three times more vitamin C and antioxidants than red ones.
