Sustainable Acres Tomato Taste Revolution
• Color affects taste. Yellow and orange tomatoes are milder and less acidic than red tomatoes.
• Always pick what works well in your climate. Most seed companies supply this information like days to maturity.
• Heirloom tomatoes can be less reliable and have lower yields than hybrid varieties so pick wisely.
Understanding Heirloom Tomatoes
Besides being incredibly tasty, heirloom tomato varieties have been passed down from earlier generations. Backyard gardeners enjoyed how a variety tasted or looked and saved seeds so a future generation could also enjoy them. Some say a variety must be at least 50 years old to be an heirloom and others have a much longer history. Thomas Jefferson had his favorites, including the“ Purple Calabash” and“ Costoluto Genovese,” which looks like a squash.
The Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook alone contains over 800 varieties. If you’ re new to heirlooms, what do you grow? The best way to choose your seeds is to grow what’ s popular and productive.
Color affects taste. Yellow and orange tomatoes are milder and less acidic than red tomatoes.
Always pick what works well in your climate. Most seed companies supply this information like days to maturity.
Heirloom tomatoes can be less reliable and have lower yields than hybrid varieties so pick wisely.
Resources for seeds include Johnnyseeds. com, Mariseeds. com and Seedsavers. org.
Popular Varieties for Hobby Farmers
Heirloom tomatoes come in a dazzling array of colors, from deep purples and bright yellows to multihued patterns. Some are striped! There are many popular varieties, such as“ Black Krim,” which should have a dark, almost purplish hue when ready to eat, and“ Green Zebra,” which remains green with darker stripes. Green Heirloom Varieties Green Zebra is one of the striking heirloom tomatoes and Alice Water of Chez Panisse in California rates this near the top of her list as her favorite heirloom tomato. The fruit is sweet and tangy at the same time.
This Cherokee Green variety originated with Cherokee Indians, who shared it with a pioneer family. The family kept this variety for over 100 years before passing it on. It produces medium-sized fruit with a rich flavor. Purple Heirloom Varieties Black Cherry is a purple-black cherry tomato with a rich and sweet flavor. It is native to southern Ukraine, and the seeds reached North America in the 1800s.
Black Prince heirlooms have brown shoulders that turn to garnet as the fruit ripens. They originated in Siberia and are ideal in cooler climates.
Health Benefits
Heirloom tomatoes, revered for their nutritional benefits, boast a higher vitamin content and are typically grown with fewer pesticides than commercial varieties. This makes them an excellent choice for anyone seeking to maximize their intake of essential nutrients while minimizing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Rich in vitamins C and K, heirloom tomatoes not only support the immune system and bone health, but also play a significant role in maintaining cardiovascular wellness.
One of the standout nutrients in heirloom tomatoes is lycopene, a potent natural antioxidant known for its impressive health benefits. Lycopene is particularly effective in protecting the skin from damaging UV rays. Furthermore, for individuals with diabetes, lycopene has been shown to alleviate oxidative stress, offering a nutritional approach to managing the condition. The high levels of lycopene in heirloom tomatoes also contribute to cancer prevention efforts. Reader Service No. 793