TheNaturePlanet

The Xiaoyingfen No. 1 has round fruits that glisten with an alluring luster under the light. When you get close and take a whiff, there is a faint fruity aroma. However, as cautious food lovers, two questions always pop up in our minds: Is it really not genetically modified? And how sweet does it taste?

The first question that everyone is most concerned about is definitely whether the Xiaoyingfen No. 1 is a genetically modified variety. Here, let's first put everyone's mind at ease: It is definitely not genetically modified, but a genuine regular variety with "Chinese blood"! It was bred by the Vegetable Research Institute of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences through traditional hybridization technology after years of effort. It passed the variety approval of non-main crops in Zhejiang Province in 2014. Authoritative testing by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs shows that its genetic composition contains no genetically modified components at all.

Moreover, this variety has won numerous awards in Zhejiang and even across the country. It won the gold award in the "Zhejiang Good Mountain Vegetables" selection in 2024. It has also won gold many times in high-quality tomato competitions in places like Hangzhou and Ningbo. Even Zhenhai District has listed it as the leading variety, and the planting area is constantly expanding. Being recognized both by professional judges and the market fully proves that its quality is absolutely excellent, and everyone can eat it with confidence.

After discussing whether it is genetically modified, let's talk about the sweetness that everyone is most concerned about. How sweet exactly is the Xiaoyingfen No. 1? According to the official data of the Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, its soluble solids content, which is what we commonly call the sweetness index, is stably between 9% and 9.5%, and the total sugar content reaches 6.2g per 100g. Maybe everyone has no concept of these figures. The sweetness of ordinary tomatoes is usually only between 4% and 6%, and its sweetness is close to that of watermelons. Media like Qianjiang Evening News have used the description "the sweetness is close to that of watermelons" to describe its taste.

In the spring sowing evaluation in 2024, its sugar content also reached over 11 degrees, significantly higher than other varieties. However, it should be noted that the sugar content will be affected by factors such as light, water, and fertilizer. For example, digital greenhouses can make the fruits accumulate more sugar through precise control of temperature, humidity, and light, so there may be some small differences under different planting conditions.

Some people may be curious about why the Xiaoyingfen No. 1 is much sweeter than ordinary tomatoes. The secret actually lies in its genes! One of its parents is the high-sugar inbred line "Flat Peach", and this genetic advantage gives it the innate potential for high sweetness. At the same time, it uses facility cultivation, that is, greenhouse planting, which can effectively control environmental conditions, avoid the dilution of sugar by rainwater, and promote the accumulation of flavor substances. Applying organic fertilizers heavily during planting and controlling water properly can further enhance the sweetness. However, this variety has a small drawback, that is, its skin is slightly thick and it is prone to cracking, especially when water management is improper. But from another perspective, the thick skin makes it more resistant to storage and transportation, making it suitable for sale as commercial fruits. So, the fruits we buy are generally fresh and can be stored for a long time.

Now that we know it is not genetically modified and is so sweet, how should we select and taste it? When selecting, the ripe Xiaoyingfen No. 1 is pink in color, has a round shape, and a smooth fruit surface without spots. When you gently press it, if the fruit is elastic but not soft, it indicates high freshness. It tastes excellent. After biting through the skin, the sweet juice bursts in the mouth, and then you can feel the unique "honey aroma", which is its signature flavor that distinguishes it from ordinary tomatoes. In addition to being eaten directly as a fruit, it is also very suitable for making salads, decorating in baking, or being made into dried tomatoes for preservation. The farm owner revealed that the tomato jam made from it has a balanced sweet and sour taste, and even picky children can't put it down. Everyone might as well give it a try.

If gardening enthusiasts want to plant a few plants at home, here are some tips to share. It is recommended to sow after October in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai regions, and the best time for winter or early spring planting. This variety is relatively sensitive to tomato yellow leaf curl virus, and preventive measures need to be taken in advance, such as regularly spraying antiviral agents. Controlling water properly during the fruiting period and applying phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can significantly improve the sugar content and flavor. At present, the seedlings of Xiaoyingfen No. 1 are very popular in the market. Many pick-your-own gardens attract tourists with this variety. If you are a gardening novice, you might as well start with this variety and experience the sense of achievement of "growing tomatoes as sweet as watermelons"!

The Xiaoyingfen No. 1 has proven with its strength that traditional breeding can also produce deliciousness beyond expectations. Its high sweetness, non-genetically modified nature, and unique honey aroma have made it an "internet celebrity" in the tomato world in recent years.