Emilio Medina wins top honors at National Heirloom Tomato Contest

Emilio Medina, a grower from Villalcázar de Sirga in Palencia, won two major awards at the 2026 National Heirloom Tomato Contest in Polanco. Medina secured the title for best tomato in Spain with the ‘Negro del Escorial’ variety and the best international tomato with an ‘Ananas Noir’ of French origin.

Medina specializes in maintaining and recovering hundreds of traditional varieties through dryland farming techniques, which he notes helps concentrate the flavor of the fruit. The ‘Negro del Escorial’ was developed through years of selection from traditional varieties, including a tomato from Marchamalo crossed with a black tomato variety. The ‘Ananas Noir’ is characterized by its multi-colored interior of green, yellow, and red, offering a range of sweet, balanced, and acidic notes.

Other winners included Mari Carmen Toca, who took first place in the Polanco category with the ‘Amarillo Ruso’ variety, and Celestino Tresgallo from Miengo, who was recognized for the best tomato in Cantabria with ‘Delicias de la Huerta’. Polanco Mayor Rosa Díaz emphasized the growing interest in recovering products that constitute agricultural and gastronomic heritage.