'Rose de Berne' Beefsteak Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum

'Rose de Berne' Beefsteak Tomato – historic rarity with an intense, aromatic flavor. 

This variety is a pink beef tomato with an exceptional, intensely aromatic flavor and fruity sweetness. It ripens mid-late and is ideally suited for cultivation in greenhouses, protected outdoor beds, and large containers. Robust, high-yielding, and perfect for self-sufficiency as well as organic growing.

  Origin & History

'Rose de Berne' is an open-pollinated beef tomato and ranks among the oldest known Swiss tomato varieties. Preserved to this day by seed savers and home gardens, it appears in old Swiss seed catalogs from the 1940s, sometimes also under the French name Rose de Berne. Originating in Switzerland, it is now considered one of the classic heirloom varieties.

Especially in French-speaking Switzerland and in France, it spread early on, which explains its international diversity of names. Later it also became known as the Bernese Rose Tomato and today belongs to the most popular historic varieties in collections and home gardens worldwide. Its fine balance of sweetness and acidity makes it a true delicacy and a symbol of the richness of traditional tomato culture.

  Appearance & Characteristics

The plant grows indeterminately as a stake tomato and reaches a height of about 200–250 cm. It develops strong fruit clusters and bears robust, dark green foliage.

Fruit details:

• Size: Medium to large, approx. 200-400 g per fruit (sometimes variable)

• Shape: Flattened-round, slightly ribbed

• Color: Evenly pink, often with a delicate sheen

• Texture: Juicy, tender flesh with a thin, soft skin

• Flavor: Intensely aromatic, fruity and sweet – a true delicacy

 Usage & Cultivation Highlights

'Rose de Berne' fruits are excellent for fresh salads, decorative tomato slices, flavorful snacks, as well as soups and sauces. With their pink coloration and intense aroma, they are a true eye-catcher on the plate.

Thanks to their robustness, the variety thrives reliably in protected outdoor beds, greenhouses, and large containers. It impresses with a long harvest period and stable fruit set well into autumn, delighting with particularly aromatic fruits, vigorous growth, and open-pollinated quality – a true highlight for organic cultivation and self-sufficiency.

Compared to other beef tomatoes, 'Rose de Berne' stands out with its particularly intense flavor and versatile use – a robust, open-pollinated variety with exceptional character that enriches every collection garden.