What does color say about the taste of tomato?
By understanding the basics of how tomato color and tomato flavor are related, you can take some of the guesswork out of selecting tomato varieties. Using this simple guide, you can refine your selections and find the ideal tomatoes for your tastes.
Red tomatoes
Acidity: usually a red tomato brings a bit more acidity.
Flavor: varies, but delivers a typical classic tomato flavor with lots of juiciness.
With most varieties, the flavor often intensifies when processed into sauce or puree.
Uses: slicing (especially steak varieties), salsa, preserves, sauce, pasta, juice, salads.
Examples: Atkinson, Better Boy, Celebrity, Heinz Classic, Juliet, Red Beefsteak, Roma, Rutgers, San Marzano
Pink tomatoes
Acidity: provides an average acidity level that is more than strong, but less than red tomatoes.
Taste: is similar to red tomatoes, although usually sweeter and slightly milder.
The pink category includes several perennial taste-testing champions, such as Pink Brandywine and German Johnson.
Use: freeze, stew, eat fresh and slice.
Most pink tomatoes can be stored without problems.
Examples: Bradley, German Queen, Martha Washington, Pink Brandywine, Pink Girl.
Yellow/orange tomatoes
Acidity: provides low to sometimes medium acidity.
Taste: ranges from sweet (almost candy-like) to fruity.
Uses: slicing, eating fresh, salads, juicing, salsa.
Older canning books may advise against canning yellow tomatoes.
Examples: Golden Jubilee, Lemon Boy, Sun Gold, Sun Sugar, Yellow Pear
Black/purple tomatoes
Acidity: tends to have a higher acidity level, along the lines of a red tomato.
Taste: complex flavor appreciated by chefs, who have described the taste with words like “smoky” and “rich.
Some gardeners who grow dark tomatoes struggle to share them because they are so delicious.
Use: Slicing, fresh food, salads, cooking for sauce.
Slices are an eye-catcher on a plate!
In Russia, Black Prince’s homeland, the dark fruits are pressed to make an extract sold as Black Prince Tomato Oil.
Examples: Black Cherry, Black Prince, Cherokee Purple
Striped tomatoes
Acidity: usually, a spiked tomato combines low acidity with high sugar content.
Flavor: these bring a sweet, almost fruity flavor.
Use: slicing, fresh food, salsa. Most traditional canning recipes advise against using striped tomatoes, but food safety guidelines make no distinction as long as you add a source of acid to jars. But really, this variety is just too delicious (and beautiful!) not to eat fresh. It’s the variety you want to take to a summer picnic, but only if you have enough left over.
Example: Mr.
Stripey
In short, so many different varieties to enjoy! So we at The Grow Supplier recommend trying as many varieties as possible to discover your own favorite. Browse our seed market and choose the tomatoes that suit you best!
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