Tomatoes are one of those things where the more, the merrier. Tomato types are diverse and delicious: starting from tiny cherry tomatoes to hearty beefsteaks, they seem to have it all. This knowledge will be especially useful to you if you are a gardener or a chef, or simply someone who loves tomatoes. Thus, this write-up will take you through some of the most common tomato varieties on a journey that is sure to leave your mouth watering.
Cherry tomatoes
Description: These small circular confections are like candy among their kind. Sweet as sugar this type of tomato is excellent for snacking in salads, and for adding color to dishes.
Best uses: They can be added onto salad; put them on skewers during barbecues or just eat them for a quick snack.
Fun fact: Cherry tomatoes come in different colors including red, yellow and even purple!
Grape Tomatoes
Description: Grape Tomatoes have thicker skin and more meaty texture similar to cherry tomatoes but slightly longer in shape. However, these fruits are not juicy compared with cherries; hence they suit perfectly when roasted.
Best uses: Use them in salads or roast with olive oil and herbs. You can also use them for pasta dishes.
Fun fact: Despite being named grape tomatoes, they were never grapes! However, their size and shape make look like bunches of grapes hence their name.
Roma Tomatoes
Description: Also known as plum tomatoes; romas have an oval shape with fewer seeds and denser flesh. They tend to have slight spiciness in taste making them best for sauces and pastes.
Best uses: For the best marinara sauce ever plus yummy tasting tomato paste or conserving purposes later on soups and stews.
Fun fact: Roma tomatoes contain least water thus popularly canned and produced into paste.
Beefsteak Tomatoes
Description: Beefsteak – the tomato of the species. These fruits are sizable, juicy and have a flesh that is almost meaty. They are commonly sliced and are widely used for sandwiches and burgers.
Best uses: Make thick slices to go with your classic BLT, use them as burger toppings or just eat as they are with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
Fun fact: The weights of Beefsteak tomatoes can exceed one pound! That’s an enormous tomato.
Heirloom tomatoes
Description: Heirloom tomatoes come in unique shapes, colors and flavors. These are open-pollinated varieties that have been handed down through generations. They could be red, green, yellow striped or multi-colored.
Best uses: They look great on salads too, caprese or simply sliced up with olive oil over it.
Fun fact: Indeed heirloom tomatoes are often named after families or estates that cultivated them over several decades. So you see – some tomatoes really do wear crowns!
Green Tomatoes
Description: This does not simply refer to unripe red ones; some kinds will stay green even when ripe due to human intervention in their breeding process. Sour to taste, these fruits have a firmer texture than their red relatives do.
Best uses: Roast them Southern style; pickle the fruit or make chutneys from it for relishes .
Fun fact: “Fried Green Tomatoes” is also a delicacy which has become a staple in Southern cuisine besides being a great movie title
San Marzano tomatoes
Description: San Marzano, a well-known variety of plum tomatoes, have a sweet flavor and are not so acidic. They are firm with less seeds and thicker skin.
Best uses: Excellent choice for authentic Italian sauces especially when used in making pizza sauce and marinara.
Fun facts: These tomatoes are grown on the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius in Italy. For your information, they are also protected by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in Europe!
The rainbow of tomatoes
There are many types of tomato in the world, and they come in a range of colors that can be likened to the hues of a rainbow. This is information that may come in handy when deciding on what type of tomatoes to grow at home or purchase at the market. So next time you find yourself with an excess supply, just enjoy those different shades and appreciate their unique attributes.
So remember that whether you are biting that sweet cherry tomato or slicing up juicy beefsteak for your salad or cooking potfuls for Roma tomato sauce, then think about this; it’s one of the most versatile and popular fruits or vegetables—whichever way you choose to look at it!
So what is your favorite type of tomato? However, there are millions other varieties that exist around the globe waiting to be explored. Just eat your delicious tomatoes.