Varieties and Types of Tomatoes

Tomato Colours, Sizes and Many Uses

Jul 25, 2009 James Clausen

The tomato is one of the most versatile of all fruits. Find out about the difference in the most common varieties of tomatoes and what type of dishes suites them best.

So what’s that answer to the old argument if the tomato is a fruit of a vegetable? Even though it’s used more like a vegetable in cooking, the tomato is actually a fruit. Technically since it has seeds the tomato is indeed a fruit.

Various Tomato Colors and Sizes

Tomatoes come in various sizes and colors and there are hundreds of varieties. They can weigh a fraction of an ounce on the smaller scale and well over 2 pounds on the larger scale. The most common color of a tomato of course is red but they also come in yellow, purple, green and black. They can even come in mixed colors or even stripes. Even there are hundreds of varieties, the list below deals with the more common variety of tomatoes.

Tomato Types and Varieties

• Currant Tomatoes are very small, about the size of a pea. They have a strong flavor go great in salads or as a garnishing for many other dishes. Currant tomatoes also have more health benefits pound for pound than most tomato varieties.
• Grape Tomatoes are about the size and shape of a grape. They are sweeter than most tomato varieties and are good in salads and vegetable trays with dip.
• Cherry Tomatoes can vary in size but are generally about the size of bing cherry. They have a bit of sour taste. The cherry tomato is used in salads or eaten by themselves as a snack.
• Pear Tomatoes have the same basic shape as a pear, small one end and fatter on the other end. They are about the same size as a cherry tomato. They have a sweet flavor and are great in salads or eaten by themselves.
• Plum Tomatoes are oblong in shape and are thicker with less seeds than most tomatoes. Roma is the most common brand of plum tomatoes. The most common use for plum tomatoes is in tomato paste.
• Globe Tomatoes are a medium sized tomato and the most common variety. They are used for all types of cooking. The most common use is sliced for hamburgers and sandwiches or eaten with a little salt by themselves.
• Beefsteak Tomatoes are the granddaddy of tomatoes and can weigh over two pounds but are usually around a pound or so. They are generally meaty and thick and can be used for all kinds of cooking as well as sliced for various garnishments.

It should be noted that within each type and variety of tomato there are many different varieties with in a variety. Tomatoes are generally more available in the summer months but can be grown year round in warmer climates.

The copyright of the article Varieties and Types of Tomatoes in Food Trends is owned by James Clausen. Permission to republish Varieties and Types of Tomatoes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Globe Tomatoes

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Sep 2, 2009 10:44 AM

Guest :

Comment & Question: This may sound strange but i assure it is not, I have grown tomatos that I Picked last september and look as good as if they were picked yesterday. What kind of tomato are they, I have grown some this year from the seeds of last years crop but don't know yet whether they will last as long. I would be interesting in knowing if there are tomato varieties that have these qualities.

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