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With more than 10,000 varieties, fresh tomatoes are one of the most varied fruits in the world. It’s a common misconception that these juicy summer favorites only come in red colors and plump shapes. In fact, as we go down the rabbit hole, you’ll discover other varieties — from the chartreuse Green Zebra tomatoes to the purplish Black Cherry tomatoes — that all offer distinct flavors.
Let’s talk through some common tomato categories and then, we’ll share a list of common tomato varieties.
Common Tomato Types
There are many ways to categorize tomatoes aside from specific varieties. Two of the more common categories are heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, and determinate and indeterminate.
Heirloom and Hybrid Tomatoes
On the surface, heirloom tomatoes tend to have strange appearances compared to the uniformity you typically see in the grocery store. The irregular shapes of heirloom tomatoes can put off shoppers who prefer the plump, red kind. These commercially attractive qualities are found in many hybrid tomatoes.
Home gardeners growing their own tomatoes have many options with heirloom and hybrid varieties that you usually can’t find in the market.
Differences in Growth
Heirloom tomatoes are grown from seeds free from cross-breeding for at least 40 to 50 years. They are true to seed passed down across generations of a family, ethnic, or religious unit in a certain geographic region. Some heirloom tomatoes are less resistant to diseases and pests.
Due to these problems, agriculturists intentionally crossbred two tomato varieties, resulting in hybrid offspring. Hybrid tomatoes are bred to have ideal characteristics from each parent, such as better growth, larger fruit size, or improved disease- and pest-resistance. These improvements make hybrid tomatoes suitable for commercial mass production and easy transport.
Differences in Pollination
Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated. Apart from innate self-pollination, natural pollinators — such as bees, birds, butterflies, moths, and wind — pollinate heirloom tomato plants without human intervention. You can save the heirloom seeds and expect the same traits as the parent plant to grow during the next season.
Hybrid tomatoes, on the other hand, undergo controlled and manual cross-pollination wherein pollen from one variety fertilizes a flower of another variety. Agriculturists do not aim to produce a permanent seed line because hybrid seeds are mostly sterile. Some may germinate under special conditions, but the same cultivar won’t sprout, resulting in either one of the hybrid tomato parent plants.
Differences in Flavor
Which is the tastier of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes is a hotly debated question. Commercially, hybrid tomatoes are picked once they turn green and forced to mature with the use of ethylene gas. Research from the Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science suggests early harvesting prevents hybrid tomatoes from developing flavor. A more recent study in 2017 supports this claim as modern commercial tomatoes lack volatile compounds necessary for flavors.
Some gardeners would argue that heirloom tomatoes are tastier. Heirloom tomatoes have significantly more locules, organic cavities packed with flavor-boosting compounds. Moreover, these homegrown heirloom tomatoes are allowed to ripen on the vine.
Determinate and Indeterminate Tomatoes
Determinate and indeterminate tomatoes are two types of growth patterns you’ll encounter in tomato plants.
In terms of structure, determinate tomato plants are bush-like, reaching about 5 feet or less in height. Artificial supports like cages or trellises are beneficial to the vining structure of indeterminate tomato plants, which can be up to 15 feet long.
Determinate types have a short fruit-bearing period of about 4 to 5 weeks until they progressively wilt. Gardeners with indeterminate types can enjoy fruit throughout the growing season until frost. For better tomato production, prune the suckers of indeterminate plants.
Another difference between the two categories: Determinate tomatoes hang on the end of the branches while indeterminate tomatoes blossom along the stems.
Other Popular Tomato Groupings
Apart from technical distinctions, tomatoes can be grouped according to more obvious differences in color, texture, and more.
Types of Tomato Colors
Not all tomatoes are red. In fact, you can get them in other colors as seen below.
Types of Tomato Textures
Different tomato varieties vary in flesh texture and moisture content.
| Texture | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Meaty Tomatoes | Beefsteak Determinate (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Big Beef (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Burpee Big Boy Hybrid (True Leaf Market, Burpee) Great White (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Valencia (True Leaf Market) |
| Juicy Tomatoes | Brandywine Red (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Brandywine Black (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Fox Cherry (True Leaf Market) Roma VF (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Sweetie (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) |
Types of Tomato Flavors
Sugar and other organic acid determine the flavor of each tomato variety.
| Flavors | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Sweet Tomatoes | Currant Red (True Leaf Market, Burpee) Isis Candy (True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds) Sweet Aperitif (Territorial Seed Company) Sunsugar Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Sweet Pea (Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange) |
| Tart Tomatoes | Green Grape (True Leaf Market) Green Zebra (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Kellogg’s Breakfast (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds) Monarch (True Leaf Market) Rutgers (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) |
| Mild Tomatoes | Lemon Boy (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Great White (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Stuffer Red (True Leaf Market) Orange Queen (True Leaf Market) |
Types of Tomato Skins
Other tomato varieties are prone to skin breakage. Thick-skinned tomatoes can be stuffed and baked entirely.
| Tomato Skins | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Thin-Skinned Tomatoes | Black Cherry (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Burpee, Rare Seeds) Black Krim (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds, Burpee) Damsel (Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Riesenstraube (True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds) Tangerine (True Leaf Market, Burpee) |
| Thick-Skinned Tomatoes | Amish Paste (True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Burpee, Rare Seeds) Bonny Best (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Jubilee (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Roma VF (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) San Marzano (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
Types of Tomato Growing Seasons
Some gardeners grow their tomato plants anywhere between March to June as summer annuals.
| Growing Season | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Early-Season Tomatoes | Bush Beefsteak (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Early Girl Hybrid (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Juliet Hybrid (True Leaf Market) La Roma III (True Leaf Market) Sungold (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
| Mid-Season Tomatoes | Celebrity Hybrid (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Green Zebra (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Lemon Boy (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Mandarin Cross (True Leaf Market) Phoenix Hybrid (True Leaf Market) |
| Late-Season Tomatoes | Amana Orange (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Big Rainbow (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee, Rare Seeds) Cherokee Purple (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee, Rare Seeds) Hillbilly (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange, Burpee) Mortgage Lifter (Eden Brothers, Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds) |
Types of Geographic Origin
Wild tomatoes grew in Andes, South America, even before the arrival of Europeans in the New World. Through cultivation, the plant spread in Central America.
| Geographic Origin | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean Tomatoes | Andiamo Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Principe Borghese (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Rosso Sicilian (True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange) San Marzano (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) Thessaloniki (True Leaf Market) |
| American Heirlooms | Amana Orange (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Kellogg’s Breakfast (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds) Marglobe (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) |
| Asian Varieties | Azoychka (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Japanese Trifele Black (Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange) Katana (True Leaf Market) Mandarin Cross (True Leaf Market) Momotaro (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) |
Types of Culinary Uses
Whether you prefer them cooked or raw, tomatoes can be added to countless recipes.
| Culinary Uses | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes for Sauce | Better Boy (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Burpee Big Boy Hybrid (True Leaf Market, Burpee) Hungarian Paste (True Leaf Market) Husky Red Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Roma VF (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) |
| Tomatoes for Salads | Great White (True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds) Green Peach (True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange) Green Zebra (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Juliet Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Yellow Pear (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Rare Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Burpee) |
| Tomatoes for Canning | Atkinson (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Bonny Best (Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds) Bradley (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Giant Garden Paste (True Leaf Market) Homestead (True Leaf Market, Eden Brothers) |
Types of Disease Resistance
Generally, hybrid tomatoes are bred to be more disease resistant than heirloom varieties.
| Disease Resistance | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Disease-Resistant Varieties | Big Beef (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Burbank (True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company) Chef’s Choice Orange Hybrid F1 (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) Marglobe (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market) New Yorker (True Leaf Market) |
| Susceptible Varieties | Black Krim (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds, Burpee) German Johnson (Eden Brothers, Burpee) |
Types of Preferred Growing Conditions
Smaller tomato varieties can be grown in containers or pots. They are suitable for home gardeners with limited garden space.
| Growing Conditions | Common Examples (Where to Buy) |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse Tomatoes | Cobra (Territorial Seed Company) Long Keeper (True Leaf Market, Burpee) Sunsugar Hybrid (True Leaf Market) Supersweet 100 (Eden Brothers, Burpee) Sweetie (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) |
| Field Tomatoes | Grandma’s Pick (Territorial Seed Company) Sungold (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
| Container Tomatoes | Black Krim (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Rare Seeds, Burpee) Celebrity Hybrid (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) Cherokee Purple (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee, Rare Seeds) Early Girl Hybrid (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee) San Marzano (Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee) |
Popular Varieties of Cherry and Grape Tomatoes
Firm and juicy, cherry and grape tomatoes grow in bundles. Kane (here at Insteading) likes them in the Pacific Northwest because they tend to have shorter growing seasons, making it easy to grow when you have a late start to warmer weather. These bite-sized tomatoes are perfect for appetizers, or enjoy them right off the vine as refreshing summer snacks.
| Variety | Description | Days to Harvest | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Gold Cherry Tomato | Suitable for container planting, the Sun Gold Cherry tomatoes offer sweetness to your salads and stews. Indeterminate. | 65 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee |
| Ruby Crush Tomato | Suitable for container planting, Ruby Crush has high yielding capacity with sweet, small fruits. Determinate. | 65 to 70 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Green Grape Tomato | An offshoot variety of the Green Zebra tomatoes, the Green Grape tomatoes have sour and sweet flavor and turn to green-gold color once ripe. Indeterminate. | 70 to 80 days | True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange |
| Sweet 100 Tomato | Also called “vine candy,” the Sweet 100 tomatoes grow in clusters, providing a huge volume of harvest. However, these are prone to cracking. Indeterminate. | 60 to 65 days | Eden Brothers |
| Napa Grape Hybrid Tomato | The Napa Grape tomato has one of the highest sugar contents among all cherry types. Indeterminate. | 65 days | Burpee |
| Large Cherry Tomato | Enjoy the sweet, slightly acidic flavor of cherry tomatoes in bigger sizes. Indeterminate. | 75 to 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Chocolate Sprinkles Tomato | The Chocolate Sprinkles plant grows 5 to 7 clusters of chocolate-like cherry-sized fruits. Indeterminate. | 50 to 55 days | Eden Brothers |
Popular Varieties of Standard Globe Tomatoes
Grown primarily for commercial sale and use, standard globe tomatoes have thick skins and meat suitable for transport. These are the classic tomatoes you’re familiar with, as they are popular in many recipes. From salsas to sandwiches, standard globe tomatoes bode well as juicy slicers.
| Variety | Description | Days to Harvest | Growth | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chef’s Choice Orange Hybrid F1 | This hybrid variety has been derived from the Amana Orange, improved for disease resistance and faster harvest. Chef’s Choice Orange Hybrid F1 is an All-America Selections (AAS) winner. Indeterminate. | 80 to 85 days | Indeterminate | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Caribe Tomato | The Caribe tomato plant thrives in both dry and humid climates. Determinate. | 85 days | Determinate | True Leaf Market |
| Bonny Best Tomato | Bred in 1908, Bonny Best offers fruit with uniform shape and size, making them ideal for canning and slicing. Indeterminate. | 60 to 90 days | Indeterminate | Eden Brothers, Rare Seeds |
| Atkinson Tomato | Yielding globe tomatoes with a familiar tomato flavor, the Atkinson tomato can withstand hot and humid temperatures. Indeterminate. | 60 to 90 days | Indeterminate | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Valencia Tomato | The Valencia tomato plants are disease-resistant and high yielding capacity. Once ripe, the Valencia tomatoes turn orange in color. Indeterminate. | 55 to 60 days | Indeterminate | True Leaf Market |
| Moneymaker Tomato | Requiring minimal maintenance, the Moneymaker tomato can tolerate cold temperatures and yield about 10 fruits per vine. Indeterminate. | 77 to 80 days | Indeterminate | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Early Girl Tomato | Suitable for container planting, Early Girl is an early-season tomato plant, known for its quick growth. Indeterminate. | 50 to 62 days | Indeterminate | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee |
Popular Varieties of Beefsteak Tomatoes
Beefsteak tomatoes are slicer tomatoes with a mild flavor. Known for their meatier texture and juicier insides, they are more common in local farms or gardens than in commercial farms. Apart from their thin skin, Beefsteak tomatoes take longer to yield and are more prone to blossom end rot than other tomato varieties.
| Variety | Description | Days to Harvest | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Beef Tomato | In 1994, the Big Beef tomato variety won the All-America Selections for its disease-resistance, large size, and unique flavor. Indeterminate. | 73 to 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| German Johnson Tomato | This late- to mid-season heirloom German Johnson tomato plant is popular in the southern United States. Indeterminate. | 75 days | Eden Brothers, Burpee |
| Cherokee Purple Tomato | Characterized by its unique dusky, deep rose color, the Cherokee Purple tomato was named one of the top ten heirloom varieties by the Seed Savers Exchange. Indeterminate. | 80 to 90 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company, Burpee, Rare Seeds |
| Orange Wellington Hybrid Tomato | The Orange Wellington Hybrid tomato grows with minimal seeds inside plump, orange (to yellow) flesh. Indeterminate. | 75 days | Burpee |
| Costoluto Fiorentino Tomato | Originating from Florence, Italy, the Costoluto Fiorentino has a uniquely ribbed fruit structure — a good choice for slow roasting. Indeterminate. | 80 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Bush Beefsteak Tomato | A great alternative for indeterminate varieties, the Bush Beefsteak tomato plant grows in a manageable, bush-like structure — perfect if you can’t build a cage or trellis. Determinate. | 60 to 90 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee |
| Aunt Ruby’s Green German Tomato | The tomato from the Aunt Ruby’s Green German plant has a sweet and spicy flavor. This hybrid was bred in Greenville, Tennessee by Ruby Arnold. Indeterminate. | 80 to 95 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Rare Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange |
Popular Varieties of Roma Tomatoes
Also referred to as paste or plum tomatoes, Roma tomatoes are commonly used in making tomato paste and sauces. Due to their meaty texture and easy-to-omit seeds, these tomato varieties are suitable for canning and preserving. Roma have significantly lower moisture content than other varieties of tomatoes.
| Variety | Description | Days to Harvest | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roma VF Tomato | Bred by the United States Department of Agriculture in the 1950s, this Roma variety was bred to resist common disease on tomato plants such as Fusarium and Verticillium wilt. Determinate. | 75 to 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee |
| Napoli Tomato | With fruits weighing about 3 ounces, the Napoli tomato plant is resistant to Alternaria stem canker among others. Determinate. | 75 to 90 days | True Leaf Market |
| Amish Paste Tomato | The Amish Paste tomato usually has a shape similar to an acorn or strawberry. Indeterminate. | 80 to 85 days | True Leaf Market, Seed Savers Exchange, Burpee, Rare Seeds |
| Better Boy Tomato | The Better Boy tomato plant holds the Guinness World Record for the highest yielding tomato plant. Indeterminate. | 70 to 75 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Burpee |
| La Roma III Tomato | The La Roma III hybrid is resistant to worms like the root-knot nematode. Determinate. | 76 days | True Leaf Market |
| San Marzano Indeterminate Tomato | An Italian cuisine staple, this variety of San Marzano tomato grows in tall vines with plum-like yield. Indeterminate. | 85 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market, Territorial Seed Company |
| Hungarian Paste Tomato | The Hungarian Paste plant produces 3 to 4 clusters of pear-shaped tomatoes, excellent for pastes, sauces, and stews. Indeterminate. | 75 to 85 days | True Leaf Market |
Other Varieties of Tomato
Some tomato varieties take special conditions and extra care to yield fruit.
Popular Varieties of Oxheart Tomatoes
Similar to Beefsteak tomatoes, the Oxheart variety has a pointed tip, giving the fruits an appearance like a heart. Due to their meaty structure, Oxheart tomatoes are suitable for stuffing.
| Variety | Description | Days to Harvest | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuore Di Bue Tomato | Originating from an Italian heirloom, the name “Cuore Di Bue” literally means “ox heart” in English. Indeterminate. | 75 days | Territorial Seed Company |
| Hungarian Heart Tomato | The Hungarian Heart tomato is crack resistant with firm flesh and minimal seeds. Indeterminate. | 80 to 85 days | Burpee, Rare Seeds, and Seed Savers Exchange |
| Oxheart Pink Tomato | Introduced in the 1920s, the Oxheart Pink tomato yields a heart- or pear-shaped fruit, weighing between 1 to 2 pounds. Indeterminate. | 80 days | Eden Brothers, True Leaf Market |
| Oxheart Bi Color Striped Tomato | This Oxheart variety has flesh with red and yellow stripes. Indeterminate. | 55 to 80 days | True Leaf Market |
| Rugby F1 Tomato | Rugby is resistant to bacterial speck, Fusarium rot and wilt, leaf mold, and tomato mosaic virus. Indeterminate. | 60 to 70 days | Eden Brothers |
FAQ About Types of Tomatoes
Which tomato type is the best for sauces and pastes?
Roma tomato varieties are ideal for sauces and pastes due to their meaty flesh, and lower water content. When cooking tomato sauces or pastes, it’s best to choose the variety with the least moisture content to save yourself precious cooking time. Roma tomatoes eventually break down into a concentrated, flavorful sauce or paste when heated. In addition, Roma varieties have fewer seeds.
Which tomato type is the most popular?
Globe standard tomatoes are widespread in countless supermarkets due to consumer desirability.
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