This cultivar variety, type originated from a seed planted in the 1920s at Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Parentage is unknown (Haden seedling?); it was released in 1948.
Tommy Atkins has become an important commercial variety a group of closely related plants of common origin. The fruits are medium to large, oval to oblong longer than broad, orange/yellow with a heavy red blush, numerous white lenticels and a broadly rounded base. They measure an average length of 12.6 cm, are 9.9 cm wide and have an average weight of 522 g. The smooth skin is tough and thick. The flesh is firm and medium juicy with a moderate amount of fibre, yellow to deep yellow in colour, mild and sweet with a strong pleasant aroma. The eating quality is fairly good; the seed is mono-embryonic mode of reproduction: contains only one embryo and covered in a thick, woody stone (6.6% of total fruit weight).
The tree is vigorous/large with a rounded canopy crown of a plant and it produces consistently heavy and good crops. It is an early to mid-season cultivar and is highly resistant to diseases.
Advantages:
very attractive fruits
excellent shipping and shelf-life qualities
consistent producer
good resistance to anthracnose and powdery mildew
Disadvantages:
danger of internal breakdown (jelly seed)
fibre content is slightly higher than average