Inyesterday ’s postabout heirloom love apple , I recounted some of the question I oft field from people who are curious about my compulsion . Here ’s another one : “ So what ’s your all - metre favorite Lycopersicon esculentum ? ”
Impossible to answer . I like unlike varieties for different reasons , and since I grow new unity each year , that conclusion is always changing . or else , I say them about the ones I particularly like in my garden from the former year .
Tomatoes with Thick Skins
There are so many choices with heirloom tomatoes. (Jennifer Simonson photo)
When I ’m choosing which tomatoes to grow , one condition I have is whether they ’re prostrate to splitting . Tomatoes break open when a hard rainfall causes the interior of the fruit to grow and spread out at a fast rate than the pelt can contain it . It ’s particularly a problem with diluent - skinned heirloom types . sample to maintain even watering helps , but when there ’s a deluge it ’s inevitable that some tomato will split . That ’s okay if you ’re capable to habituate them justly away , but when you give away as many tomatoes I do split one just wo n’t do . That ’s why I especially prize varieties that are more split resistant . Unless otherwise noted , the I I mention here share that trait .
So Many Choices
I broadly think of Lycopersicon esculentum in condition of size and color . Among the larger varieties , I really wish the yellow and orangish ones . They tend to be firmer with few seeds than the other colour , and they ’re great for fade . One of my all - time favorite in this category has always beenPineapple ; I ’ve grown it for years and it never disappoints . However last year I discovered a new front-runner : Oaxacan Jewel . It ’s a big tomato , 1 - 2 pounds , yet the plant was remarkably prolific for such a bombastic one . It has a lemonlike sweet savour — delectable . I also likedAmana Orange , Persimmon , andOrlov Yellow Giant . And you ca n’t go wrong withKellogg ’s Breakast;a big yellowness and a stalwart in my garden for several years . Finally , William ’s Striped , a beautiful orange and yellow striped tomato , also was a standout .
Some people think the ignominious / empurpled varieties are the most flavourful , and I run to consort . Many of them were bred in Siberia or neighboring nation , so they tend to do well in our inadequate Minnesota produce season . I likeBlack KrimandCherokee Purplea lot , because not only do they have outstanding gustatory sensation , the flora also produce quite a bit of fruit . Another ripe one isBlack Prince ; the yield is smaller , about 2 inches , which seduce it perfect for when you do n’t ask a giant tomato plant .
neat Whiteisn’t actually blanched — it ’s more a very pallid yellow-bellied , but it ’s among the sweetest , comfortably - tasting tomatoes I ’ve grown . It does n’t produce a mess of fruit , but the one you do get are memorable .
Green heirloom tomatoes are know for their sweet , but unfortunately I ’ve found them to be very prone to splitting . Aunt Ruby ’s German Greenis a lilliputian better in that respect . I retrieve it ’s the best green , and I know a lot of people would accord .
Among the pink and reds , I really likedMexicofrom last year . It put out a lot of very big yield that did n’t easy split and had great nip . Pink BrandywineandMortgage Lifterare two of the better known and pop heirloom varieties , and there ’s a cause for it : they ’re superb sort , and I recommend them to people that have n’t try arise heirloom before . I also likeCaspian Pink , Bread and Salt , andCrnkovic Yugoslavian .
intermediate size of it tomatoes are ideal for salad or wangle where you do n’t ask to apply a 1 - plus pestle . They ’re also usually fairly productive for heirlooms . I have had good fate with Carmello , Sioux , Cosmonaut Volkov , Limmony , KewaloandAussie . Azoychka — a Russian variety — was a unexampled one for me last twelvemonth that made my listing . As far as paste tomatoes go I ’ve always likedSan Marzano , but this year I plan to trySan Marzano Redorta , which is much larger and is said to have ripe flavor .
I always acquire a lot of different cerise - style tomatoes . They ’re perfect to pick and eat while you ’re tending the rest of your garden . A wonderful cherry I grew last year isCamp Joy . Not only is it a very productive tomato , it just wo n’t split when it rain down . This is a really outstanding variety — I chip in these off all summertime and everyone make love them . Black Cherryis also a popular favourite . While it does tend to split , it ’s so good that it ’s worth growing anyway . Black Cherry tastes unlike as it ripens — I wish to reap them at various stages to enjoy either a tangier or sweet appreciation .
I was pleased to discoverBrown Berrylast season ; alike in mouthful and people of color to Black Cherry , though a little little , it also does n’t separate . Other smaller character that I like areLollipop , Topaz , Austin ’s Red Pear , and Blondkopchen . I also recommendGreen Zebra ; an absolutely gorgeous 2 - inch tomato with a bright , lemon / linden taste sensation . Although it ’s a splitter , Green Grapeis worth growing for it ’s unbelievable sweetness . AndViolet Jasperis among the most beautiful tomatoes I ’ve grown , and it ’s also flavorful and split - resistant .
My excitement in verbalise about heirloom love apple is season by the cognition that it ’ll be six months before I can savor one from my garden . But remember about them , along with other heirloom vegetables , ( do n’t get me take off on peppers ! ) is what gets me through these cutting months .
Which heirloom tomatoes doyoulike to grow ?
— Tom McKusick
