Types of Tomatoes

We’ve all been to the produce section of the grocery store and seen all sorts of tomatoes in different sizes and colors, so today we’re going to dive into some of the different types of tomatoes and what they’re used for!

A lot of the time, the terms cherry tomato and grape tomato are used interchangeably, but they’re actually two different types of tomatoes. Grape tomatoes are round and contain a lot of water, whereas grape tomatoes are smaller and oblong, and have a lower water content. Both, however, are used often in salads because of their bite-sized nature.

In my opinion, one of the best salads you can make is a caprese salad with grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella with balsamic and basil dressing.

One term you may not hear all the time is Roma tomato. These are also called plum tomatoes and are not as small as grape and cherry tomatoes but aren’t quite big enough for slicing. These are perfect for making sauces or chopping up for salads.

Next, we have beefsteak tomatoes! These are large and firm, which makes them perfect for slicing thinly. Because they’re so easy to slice, beefsteak tomatoes are great for sandwiches and hamburgers. Their taste is mild, and they are still juicy which makes them great for sauces just like Roma tomatoes.

You might have heard the term heirloom tomatoes, and in my opinion, they are the most enjoyable tomato! They are the ones that are the most colorful, ranging from pale yellow to bright green to purplish red. These tomatoes are known for having a stronger taste, making them perfect for eating on their own or in sauces.

Hopefully this blog helps you next time you need to find the perfect tomato for a new recipe. Catch you later!

P.s. A fun place to look for fresh produce and recipe ingredients is https://blacksburgfarmersmarket.com/, open on Wednesdays and Saturdays!

- Zeppoli’s Marketing Team