There are so many varieties of tomatoes that add so much flavor to your dish. You may think there is no difference between them, but you’re wrong. That is what I will cover. I am going to talk about the different types of tomatoes and what they are best used with.
Grape Tomatoes
These tomatoes range in different colors (range from red to yellow) and have different tastes. The grape tomatoes have an oval shape and usually have thicker skin than other tomatoes. They are meaty, crispy and crunchy when baked, and they are tangy. They are best for sandwiches, salads, snacking, roasting, grilling or cooking.
These types of tomatoes are not usually wrinkled and stay firm even when squeezed. They are also great because they stay free from bruises and scratches that can affect their quality.
When storing them, make sure they are stored at room temperature, and stay out of sunlight. These tomatoes must be eaten within 4 days or else they will go bad. They are best eaten within 3 days (earlier, the better).
Red Beefsteak Tomatoes
This type of tomato pops in your head when you think of tomatoes. They are large with lots of juice that doesn’t overpower in meals. This tomato is well balanced and is great for making salsas. These tomatoes are available all year round, but the peak is in the summertime. These tomatoes have lots of vitamin A and C and also help prevent prostate cancer and heart disease. These are best in dips, salsa, sauces and burgers.
Green Beefsteak Tomatoes
This is pretty much the red beefsteak tomatoes, but green. Many people think this is “unripe”, but it isn’t always. Green beefsteak tomatoes are unique in flavor that is tangy. It is best to be paired with something else and is very delicious baked. These green beefsteak tomatoes are also safe to eat raw, so feel free!
Also, if you want your green beefsteak tomatoes to ripen and they aren’t, there are a few reasons why. The tomatoes are going to ripen if you give them enough time. Typically, the smaller tomatoes will ripen before the bigger ones. The chemical in the fruit is called “Lycopene”. This gives its red color. It is also found in other fruits. Just wait for the season to finish, and it will ripen.
The tomatoes could also be too cold. If you store them in the refrigerator or in a cold area, they could stay partly green till they go bad. The temperature could also be too hot. The temperature needs to be room temperature for a while to see the redness come out.
Cherry Tomatoes
These ones are mini tomatoes. I’m sure you’ve seen them. They are a great option for adding into soup, salsa, salads or general snacking. These are very easy to eat, hence their size. There are red, yellow, orange and even purple varieties of cherry tomatoes.
There are some benefits to eating cherry tomatoes such as stroke prevention (brain attack), prostate cancer prevention and increased bone health. Eating cherry tomatoes helps with blood clotting, and can prevent clot blockages to the brain. Since cherry tomatoes have lycopene, this helps the body’s bones and causes lower bone density loss. This can help with osteoporosis.
Cocktail Tomatoes
Cocktail tomatoes are very similar to cherry tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are called that as they are relatable to a cherry. Cocktail tomatoes are a little larger than the cherry tomato. They are about the size of a golf ball. They are very similar to the cherry, bet it really depends on what size and taste you prefer.
This tomato has soft skin and has few seeds. They are again meaty and have many benefits like the others. All the tomatoes generally have the same benefits, but it comes down to personal preference which type you like. This type of tomato has a more noticeable aftertaste compared to the others.
Roma Tomatoes
This type of tomato is an Italian plum tomato. If your goal was to make stew, sauce or paste, this is probably your best option. This type is also best for oven cooking to make bruschetta topping. Like all tomatoes, they are meaty and firm. They are also denser than the others, and they have a grainier flesh. They also have few seeds.
Roma tomatoes are egg-shaped when they are ripe. They are bigger in size than grape or cherry tomatoes. They aren’t also the best for slicing as they are pretty small too. If you want the best tomato for the best paste, this is probably the best one.
Heirloom Tomatoes
These tomatoes have been passed down for generations. Heirloom tomatoes have a wide range of colors. Some of the colors are red, pink, yellow, orange, white, green, purple and even black! Also everything in between. Don’t get tricked into thinking they are rotten. They should be fine if they are being sold if you can find them. For farmers, they are actually illegal to harvest under certain conditions. Farmers also cannot save them for future crops.
These tomatoes are great to be added to sandwiches, salads, grilling and roasting. They also have more bumps than all the other kinds, and it has a very earthy tomato taste!
Tomatoes on the Vine
These tomatoes are not taken down from the vine until fully ripened. They are a great option if you want the full complete nutrients of the fruit. This type of tomato can do about anything, any meal.
You may see these tomatoes in the supermarket in the bag. They also come with the vine. They have thick walls, and again are meaty. They are good for pretty much anything including snacking them raw.
- Do Potato Plants have to bloom to produce potatoes?
- Should You Choose Annual or Perennial Plants?
- What garden plants can survive frost?
Conclusion
It doesn’t really matter which tomatoes you use, as they all have similar benefits. There are variants with different characteristics to suit everyone’s liking. They are definitely one of the best fruits to drastically change the taste of the meal and are definitely worth it.
