APEX Legacy · a way of life

Brandywine Tomato

A big, rosy-pink beefsteak with potato-leaf foliage and intense, complex, sweet-tart flavor. One of the most celebrated heirloom tomatoes in America.

Compiled by APEX Legacy from published research and documented food history, under the editorial direction of Jonathan Jackson, Founder. How we write and review these pages →

Why it is ours

A widely grown heirloom that put flavor over shipping durability, championed by the seed-saving movement that overlaps with Black and Indigenous food sovereignty work reclaiming heritage varieties.

What it does

A flavor-benchmark beefsteak loaded with lycopene, the carotenoid tied to reduced prostate cancer risk and cardiovascular protection — both urgent for Black men's health. Lycopene bioavailability multiplies with cooking and fat. The vitamin C and vitamin A support immune and skin health, and potassium counters dietary sodium for blood pressure.

How it is cooked

Best eaten fresh and barely adorned to taste the famous flavor; also stews into superb sauce. Cook a portion with olive oil for lycopene. Lower yielding than hybrids, so treasure each fruit.

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