Tomato is a fruit-vegetable offering many varieties, sometimes highly original. Old or more recently bred, almost all varieties have distinct personalities well worth exploring. So, to impress friends or simply for the pleasure of tasting new types, here is a small selection of curious, decorative and flavoursome tomatoes:
1) Tomato ‘Indigo Rose’
'Indigo Rose' is an American variety developed by Oregon State University. A cocktail-type, its fruits wear a superb midnight-blue, almost black coat, ripening through to reddish-brown. It attracts curiosity both on the plant and on the plate. Its flavour is not unforgettable but is quite acceptable and, above all, it is known for its antioxidant content.
2) Tomato ‘Jack White’
'Jack White' is almost the opposite of Indigo Rose: its large creamy-white fruits, round and ribbed, can weigh up to 1 kg. They contain a Beefsteak-type flesh of excellent eating quality. Connoisseurs will appreciate the complexity of its taste, a mix of acidity and sweetness. Perfect in a colourful salad (with 'Black from Crimea' for a Yin Yang effect?) but also good for stuffing.
Indigo Rose and Jack White tomatoes - Photo: La Ferme de Sainte Marthe
3) Tomato ‘Lemon Tree’ (lemon tomato)
Yellow tomatoes are not unheard of… What is more unusual is when they take on the look of a lemon, as is the case with this old Russian variety. Productive, this tomato produces clusters of fruits 6–8 cm long. Its taste is, unsurprisingly, slightly tangy, very pleasant in a summer salad.
4) Tomato ‘Elberta Peach’
In a similar vein, 'Elberta Peach' stands out for the downy appearance of its superb foliage and the velvety texture of its fruits. Yes, a hairy tomato does exist! Its fruits are large for a cocktail-type. Colour, red striped with yellow, can be quite variable. It develops a mild flavour and has a fairly firm flesh.
Lemon Tree and Elberta Peach tomatoes - Photos: La Ferme de Sainte Marthe
5) Tomato ‘Green Doctor's Frosted’
Here is another American variety but this time of the cherry type! Very productive, it produces pretty small green fruits, slightly translucent, that have much to offer: firm texture, crisp bite and a very sweet juicy interior.
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6) Yellow pear tomato or ‘Yellow Pearshaped’
This cherry (well, pear) tomato is probably the cutest in the selection! It can be grown in a pot and produces many small yellow, pear-shaped fruits with a sweet flavour. Very decorative, it is particularly popular with children who will enjoy growing it.
Cherry tomatoes: Green Doctor's Frosted and Yellow Pear - Photos: La Ferme de Sainte Marthe
7) Tomato ‘Tlacolula Pink’
This late Mexican variety is notable for its large, dark-pink, pear-shaped fruits. They can even "fuse" to form very large, curious fruits. When sliced they reveal a superb beefsteak-type flesh, easy to cook with, ideal for stuffing or making delicious purées, gazpachos or juices.
8) Tomato ‘Aunt Ruby's German Green’
One of the largest green tomatoes and we love it! Its origin is a little uncertain: native to the United States or perhaps brought to the US by German immigrants? In any case, it is a superb variety that can produce fruits weighing up to 500 g. Its originality? Superb green flesh covered by an emerald skin tinged with pink at the shoulders! Its flavour is very well balanced: sweet with a slight acidity.
Tlacolula Pink and Aunt Ruby's German Green tomatoes - Photos: La Ferme de Sainte Marthe
9) Tomato ‘Green Sausage’
Forget rubbery party sausages: try green sausages instead! Its fruits, cylindrical and about 8 cm long, have an attractive mottled yellow and green skin. Their taste is fruity, slightly tangy, also very suitable for sauces and purées. As it is a dwarf tomato, it requires no pruning and grows very well in a pot on a terrace or balcony! Vegetarian friends will thank you…
10) Tomato ‘Voyage’
And because it’s good to keep the best for last, allow me to present 'Voyage' or “travellers'” tomato. An old variety that is genuinely surprising. Indeed, at first glance its somewhat misshapen fruits make you think of a well-travelled tomato! Averaging 100 g in weight, it appears to be an agglomeration of small fruits. Curious but productive… and tasty, revealing a juicy, sweet flesh.
Green Sausage and Voyage tomatoes - Photos: La Ferme de Sainte Marthe
We are right in the middle of sowing season... Which varieties have you chosen for your vegetable patch this year?
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