To mark its 250th anniversary, Rutgers introduced for gardeners this season “a re-invented version of a tomato variety from 1934 that reigned unchallenged for decades,” says the New York Times. The new variety, dubbed Rutgers 250, is a hit – the university is sold out of the 5,000 packets of seeds and home gardeners snapped up 1,200 seedlings in two hours. “This is a real retro tomato – history you can eat,” says extension agent William Hlubik.
The 1934 variety “made the Jersey tomato reputation” – juicy with a tangy sweet and tart flavor – and was the most popular variety in the world, said plant biology professor Thomas Orton. Like many other tomatoes, the Jersey was displaced by thicker-skinned tomatoes that are easier to ship. Rutgers set out to create a modern version in 2007, and with help from Campbell Soup, had a winner last November. “People have had enough of tomatoes that don’t taste like much and have been demanding that we do better,” said Orton in the Times.