ISRAELI'S TINIEST CHERRY TOMATO

MOSHAV IDAN : They say bigger is better but to the succulent world of cherry tomatoes, one Israeli company is going smaller than ever before.

The ''drop tomato'' is about the size of a blueberry and the Kedma company in the country's southern Arava desert says it is the smallest one ever cultivated in Israel, perhaps even in the world.

It's a point of pride in a country known for its agriculture innovation, where fruits and vegetables are taken seriously and where several strands of the cherry tomato were first invented.

''The idea is that it is comfortable,'' said Ariel Kidron, a Kedna grower. ''You can throw it in a salad, you don't need to cut it. It just explodes in your mouth.''

The seed, originally developed in Holland, was modified to match the arid growing conditions in southern Israel.

Rami Golan, of the Central and Northern Arava Research and Development Center who accompanied the project, said it was definitely the smallest ever to be grown in Israel, where tomatoes are incredibly popular.

The tiny tomato, smaller than a one shekel Israeli coin, is offered in red and yellow varieties and will be presented to the public at a three day international agricultural fair in Israel later this month.