'Cuor di bue' Oxheart Tomato – a historic tomato variety with a sweet‑mild flavour.
This variety is a red oxheart tomato with large, heart‑shaped, very fleshy fruits weighing 300–500 g. Mid‑early maturing, ideal for open ground, raised beds, and containers. Robust, productive, and perfectly suited for self‑sufficiency and organic cultivation.
Origin & History
‘Cuor di Bue’ is a traditional, open‑pollinated beefsteak tomato dating back to the late 19th century. Although the variety originated in Russia, its early international spread closely linked it to northern Italian horticultural and culinary traditions. It has been widely grown for many decades in regions such as Liguria and Piedmont, where it is considered a classic salad tomato. Botanically, it belongs to the family Solanaceae, subfamily Solanoideae, genus Solanum.
The name “oxheart” refers to the pronounced heart shape of its large fruits, which in Italy is regarded as a defining characteristic of the variety. ‘Cuor di Bue’ was maintained and passed on through long‑term farmer selection. It is an old, open‑pollinated variety with fleshy fruits, few seeds, and a mild‑sweet flavour. Over the course of the 20th century, it became a staple of the Italian summer kitchen and developed into a symbol of historic, large‑fruited oxheart tomatoes with dense, juicy texture and balanced aroma.
To this day, ‘Cuor di Bue’ is favoured in organic and traditional cultivation and is considered one of Italy’s best‑known historic beefsteak tomatoes. Its robust growth habit, large heart‑shaped fruits, and strong connection to regional food culture have made it one of the most appreciated oxheart tomatoes in many countries.
Appearance & Characteristics
The plant grows indeterminately as a staking tomato and reaches a height of about 180–250 cm. It produces regular side shoots and carries medium‑green, vigorous foliage.
Fruit details:
Size: 8–12 cm in diameter, approx. 300–500 g
Shape: Heart‑shaped, lightly to distinctly ribbed
Color: Bright red
Texture: Very fleshy, juicy, few seeds
Flavor: Sweet‑mild, aromatic, low acidity
Usage & Cultivation Highlights
The fruits of ‘Cuor di Bue’ slice well and are excellent for fresh salads, caprese, bruschetta, and as a topping for pizza and focaccia. Thanks to their firm, fleshy texture and low water content, they are also ideal for sauces and sugo. In addition, they are outstanding for carpaccio, antipasti, baked dishes, tomato bread, creamy soups, and for cooking down into aromatic passata.
Thanks to its robustness, ‘Cuor di Bue’ grows reliably in sheltered open ground, raised beds, and large containers. Even in changeable weather, fruit set remains stable and ensures continuous yields. The plants grow vigorously, are resilient to temperature fluctuations, and continue to produce flowers and fruits even during cooler periods. With its strong growth and good adaptability to different soils, ‘Cuor di Bue’ performs reliably even in less favourable seasons. Compared to many other indeterminate tomatoes, it produces particularly large, heavy fruits and offers a long harvest period – ideal for anyone who appreciates classic, historic beefsteak tomatoes with authentic flavour.
Compared to other tomato varieties, ‘Cuor di Bue’ stands out for its impressive heart‑shaped fruits, juicy and dense flesh, sweet‑mild aroma, and dependable yield stability – perfect for those who value open‑pollinated tomatoes with history.
