Jeju Island’s “jelly tomato” is making news on the island.
The new variety of tomato is the size of a cherry tomato, is sweeter and has a more jelly-like texture than an average tomato.
It is being cultivated on a trial basis in Jeju, and it seems like both farmers and consumers alike are enjoying the new fruit.
Joseph Kim reports.


This is a greenhouse in (대정읍) Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo.
Stalks of tomatoes are as tall as farmers and branches are heavily loaded with fruit.


It is a new variety that is soft and elastic, the jelly tomato.


The farmer chose the new variety following strawberries. She says it’s easier to raise the fruit.

The jelly tomato is as big as a cherry tomato. Its peel is much thinner and flesh is softer than normal tomatoes.
The sugar content is two brix higher than its more common counterpart.


It’s resistant to plant diseases including leaf diseases caused by mold. The number of fruit born on a branch is more than normal tomatoes.

However, due to its thin skin, the fruit’s quality is difficult to maintain if it should stand days in distribution.


The Jeju (서부) Seobu Agricultural Technology & Extension has been testing the farming feasibility of the new variety since last year.

Currently, there are two farmers who grow jelly tomatoes on the island.


Once the economic feasibility of jelly tomatoes proves to be positive, the variety is expected to be a cash crop for local farmers.

Joseph Kim, KCTV