‘First Mate’ is a result of an accidental cross between ‘Lucky Cross’ and an unknown tomato variety found by Millard Murdock in his garden in 2009. This is a sister line for another, very popular tomato ‘Captain Lucky’. Here is what Millard Murdock writes about the origin of ‘First Mate’: ‘Captain Lucky and First Mate both came from a natural cross in my garden of Lucky Cross. The first generation was a pink beefsteak which I named Hannie Caulder. The second generation produced the same pink beefsteak, an RL Black (Black Mamba), and a PL Black (Black Magic). The third generation from Hannie Caulder produced First Mate, and from Black Magic, Captain Lucky. I don’t think this was a cross of Black Magic because Captain Lucky remained stable in future growouts.’
‘First Mate’ tomato plant produces medium-sized (6- 12oz./180-350g), bi-colored beefsteaks, beautifully colored outside (green, yellow, and copper) and inside (pink, amber, and green marbling). Fleshy and juicy, very good tomato flavor, sweet and fruity. In the opinion of many growers, one of the best-tasting tomatoes. Indeterminate, but not very tall plant with regular leaf foliage. Mid- to late season, about 85 days to maturity.

Culinary Use

Slicer

Flavor Profile

Fruity / Sweet

Flesh Color

Bi-Color / Green / Pink

Fruit Color

Bi-Color

Fruit Shape

Oblate

Fruit Size

Large / Medium

Leaf Type

Regular

Maturity

Late / Mid-season

Plant Type

Indeterminate

Species

Solanum lycopersicum

Variety

Open Pollinated