2 minute read
Tomatolicious
Tell us how the tomatoes available at Tomatolicious are grown... Tomatolicious tomatoes are grown using a revolutionary, hydrogel based, Imec film technology, invented in Japan by Dr. Yuichi Mori. This technology helps to produce a premium, super sweet, highly nutritious and colour-rich cherry tomato like no other.
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Plants on the Tomatolicious farm are cultivated and grown on a thin Imec hydrogel film that allows the efficient absorption of water and nutrients through millions of nano pores whilst preventing germs and viruses from entering the root system. This Imec film therefore allows for a healthy, efficient harvest without the need for any pesticides or fungicides. The unique properties of this Imec film also drastically reduce water consumption relative to conventional growing systems. Apart from saving water and being a more sustainable agricultural practice, the reduced access to water and nutrients also naturally stresses the plants to levels which accelerate their own natural synthesis of sugars and amino acids, leading to naturally sweeter and more nutritious tomatoes.
The Imec soil-less farming system can literally be applied anywhere and provides a highly efficient and productive agricultural solution for arid landscapes such as the UAE. Simply put, every single drop of water and nutrient provided directly reaches the plant roots and is used efficiently by the tomatoes.
Q: What type of tomatoes are available?
A: Vine-ripened cherry tomatoes.
Q: How do the tomatoes grown locally differ from those that are flown in from around the world to the UAE?
A: The main differences include freshness, ripeness, sustainability, nutrition and taste!
Generally any vegetables grown and airfreighted from overseas will be 3 – 4 days old by the time they arrive in the UAE. Tomatolicious tomatoes, on the other hand, are picked every morning on our farm and reach customers within 24 – 36 hours of harvest. Ultimately this local advantage, combined with our unique growing technology, allow sweeter, fresher, riper and more nutritious tomatoes with a lower carbon footprint to reach hundreds of UAE customers on a daily basis.
Q: Do you supply to any restaurants in the UAE at present?
A: Kibsons are proudly promoting and distributing Tomatolicious tomatoes in the UAE. Their E-commerce consumers have previously had exclusive access to Tomatolicious but they are now also available to professional chefs throughout the UAE. They really must be tasted and tested to be fully understood and appreciated, great ingredients make great dishes!
Q: How should orders be placed?
A: Order online at kibsons.com. The Tomatolicious season starts again in October 2018.
By Halima Jumani
