Chupon De Malinalco is an heirloom tomatillo with a story rooted in the mountainous region of Malinalco, Mexico, where it has been grown and treasured for generations. This variety produces distinctive yellow, pointed fruits up to 4 inches long with a flavor that blurs the line between sweet paste tomato and husk cherry, making it unlike any other tomatillo you've encountered. In 70 days, you'll have fruits ready to harvest that work equally well in salsas, cooked down like tomatoes, or eaten fresh straight from the vine. Growing in zones 5 through 11, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and moderate soil acidity, and it's frost-tender, so timing your planting matters. Plant at least two for reliable pollination and fruit production.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-11
?in H x ?in W
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Moderate
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The citrusy, sweet-tart flavor of Chupon De Malinalco sets it apart in a crowded field of tomatillo varieties, offering a taste profile that hints at stone fruit and fermented complexity alongside bright acidity. The distinctive pointed shape and golden color make these fruits visually striking on the plant and in the kitchen. Its versatility is remarkable: salsas benefit from its depth, cooked preparations showcase its paste-like quality, and eating it fresh reveals why Mexican gardeners have kept this variety alive for so long.
This tomatillo shines in salsas, where its citrusy sweetness and moderate acidity create a sauce with surprising depth. It can be cooked down like a paste tomato, breaking down into a rich, jammy consistency that works beautifully in cooked sauces and reductions. Fresh eating is equally rewarding: the fruit can be eaten like an apple, offering a snack with interesting flavor complexity. Its versatility in both sweet and savory applications sets it apart from tomatillos bred primarily for raw salsa production.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. Maintain soil temperature between 68 and 86°F for reliable germination. Keep the seed-starting medium warm and consistently moist but not waterlogged until seedlings emerge.
Transplant seedlings outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before final planting. Space plants 24 inches apart in full sun.
Harvest fruits when they are fully yellow and the papery husk splits open at the seams, indicating ripeness. The fruit should feel slightly soft when gently squeezed and will naturally drop from the vine when ripe. Harvest at approximately 70 days from transplanting. You can also allow ripe fruits to fall to the ground and collect them daily, which is often the easiest method. Fruits continue to ripen on the vine throughout the season, so check plants every few days during peak production.
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“Chupon De Malinalco comes from Malinalco, a municipality in the State of Mexico known for its agricultural traditions and indigenous heritage. This heirloom tomatillo has been cultivated in this specific region for generations, preserved and passed down through families who recognized its exceptional flavor and culinary potential. The variety represents a living connection to Mexican food culture and seed-saving traditions, sustained by gardeners who continue to grow and propagate it today.”