75 Types Of Tomatoes From A to Z (With Photos!)

Happy tomato season, friends! Since there are roughly a gazillion varieties of tomatoes out there, let’s go over some of the most common types of tomatoes to help you figure out which to use in different recipes! Between heirlooms to indeterminate tomatoes, we’re covering everything you need to know about tomato varieties in this comprehensive guide.

There are SO many types of tomatoes out there. It may leave you wondering, “which tomato do I need for this recipe”? A few of the most common varieties of tomato include:

• Cherry Tomatoes (mini tomatoes)
• Standard Globe Tomatoes (regular-sized slicer tomatoes)
• Beefsteak Tomatoes (large slicer tomatoes)
• Roma Tomatoes (paste tomatoes)

And as if you don’t already have enough choices, tomatoes can further be classified as either hybrid vs. heirloom and determinate vs. indeterminate.

Hybrid vs Heirloom Tomatoes

All of the different varieties of tomatoes can generally be classified into two types of tomatoes: hybrid and heirloom.

• Hybrid tomatoes are a cross between different varieties. They’re often bred to yield more or be resistant to pests and such.
• Heirloom tomatoes are on the other side of the spectrum. They are often grown and sold locally because they aren’t bred to be resistant to transportation and long shelf lives. These often have fun, funky colors and shapes!

Determinate vs Indeterminate Tomatoes

If you want to get into the gardening of tomatoes, this classification will be an important one.

• Determinate tomato plants are more compact and bush-like, bearing fruit all at once then dying.
• Indeterminate tomatoes plants grow in a vine and can bear fruit for a longer time, only stopping when you cut them or the weather becomes cold.

Common Types of Tomatoes

While there are hundreds of types of tomatoes, these four are the most common in everyday cooking.

Cherry and Grape Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are sweet and small. They grow in clusters and are pretty easy to grow, being both disease and drought resistant. Perfect for starting your own home garden! Throw them over a salad or roast them into flavorful perfection.

Standard Globe Tomatoes

The classic tomato! You may also see these called salad tomatoes. These are 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) wide with a more tart, acidic taste. They’re perfect for slicing and eating raw, but can also be cooked into sauce (though they may need more cooking time to evaporate all their juices), or stuffed with breadcrumbs!

Beefsteak Tomatoes

These guys are big and heavy, with a meaty texture. Their big size makes them perfect for adding to caprese sandwiches, mushroom burgers, or stacking with cheese and basil (hellooo tomato burrata salad!)

Roma Tomatoes

Otherwise know as paste or plum tomatoes, these are perfect for making into tomato sauce, fire-roasting, topping pizza, turning into gazpacho because of their low moisture content. They’re sweet, firm, and have fewer seeds.

75 Types of Tomatoes (with photos!)

Looking for a specific tomato variety? Here are 75 types of tomatoes, listed alphabetically with an image of each!

Adoration Tomato

We aren’t sure where adoration tomatoes came from, but they appear to be a hybrid of older tomato varieties. They are typically red or deep red in color when fully ripe and are usually medium-sized tomatoes, around 2-3 inches in diameter. Adoration tomatoes typically have a balanced and mild flavor with a slightly sweet undertone. 

Due to their balanced flavor and deep red color, adoration tomatoes are a good option to give your salads a flash of delicious color. While the taste supports use as a burger topping, a larger variety might be better suited. They can certainly be used for cooking and making sauces. Dice them for tacos or use them in salsa to show off their deep red color.

Alicante Tomato

Alicante tomatoes originated in Spain. They are deep red tomatoes when fully mature and are medium to large-sized tomatoes, often around 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Alicante tomatoes are tangy and slightly sweet.  While not a beefsteak tomato, they are still great in sandwiches, not to mention salads and salsa.

Additionally, they are often used in cooking, canning, for making sauces, stews, and soups. Their deep red color would be a nice accent in a summer vegetable salad.

Amana Orange Tomato

The Amana orange tomato is a fairly recent tomato variety developed by Mr. Gary Staley in 1984. Well, he may have just found it growing as a natural hybrid of other varieties. We will give him the benefit of the doubt. The Amanda Orange is, wait for it… a bright orange tomato that tends to be fairly large coming in around 10-16 ounces.

They have a sweet and slightly tangy flavor and are quite juicy. This is a good sandwich tomato given its size, but the orange color would also give your burgers or BLTs a unique look. We also like using orange tomatoes in salads along with red to make a nice color contrast.

Amish Paste Tomato

This tomato got its name after its development within the Amish community in the 1870s in Medford, Wisconsin. The Heirloom Seed company in Pennsylvania bought seeds from the Amish developers and began growing and selling them more broadly.

This tomato is red to pinkish and fairly large, usually weighing 8 to 12 ounces. It is particularly sweet and has a meaty texture. Amish paste tomatoes are used for making this easy romesco sauce, pastes, and canning as whole or diced tomatoes.

Arkansas Traveler Tomato

The Arkansas Traveler is a southern heirloom variety. Heirloom really just means that it is an older variety, not the result of more recent hybridization or cross breeding. It originated in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, thus the name. They are normally pink, medium-sized (6 to 8 ounces), and have a mild, slightly tangy flavor. This tomato is popular with home gardeners as it holds up well in hot and humid conditions.

Azoychka Tomato

The Azoychka tomato originated in Russia and remains a Russian heirloom variety that has been passed down through generations of farmers. In Russian, it translates to “little doll.” Azoychka typically has a bright yellow or golden color when ripe and is medium to large-sized. This is a sweet, tangy variety with mild acidity. It is a good all-purpose tomato for any tomato application.

Beefmaster Tomato

Not to be confused with beefsteak tomatoes, the beef master is actually a hybrid variety of beefsteak developed in the USA. There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes worldwide, and many of these are hybrids developed for some specific purpose. The beef master was created with the home gardener in mind.

These tomatoes are huge, growing up to two pounds, and the plants produce a lot of tomatoes. They are most commonly red but can be pink or orange as well. They are mostly a warm-climate tomato with a meaty texture. They are mildly sweet and not overly acidic. The obvious use for this tomato is as a slicing tomato for burgers, BLTs, and other sandwiches.

Beefsteak Tomato

The Beefsteak tomato originated in South America but is now popular worldwide. There are a lot of sub-varieties, as this tomato has been the basis of a lot of cross-breeding and hybridization. They are big, often growing to 1 pound or more, and tend to have irregular shapes compared to, say, globe tomatoes. Despite their size, they are juicy and sweet making them great for slicing and using on halloumi burgers and sandwiches.

Better Boy Tomato

The Better Boy tomato was developed in the United States about 50 years ago. These tomatoes are typically bright red when ripe, and are medium to large-sized averaging about 12 ounces. They have a classic tomato flavor that’s balanced between sweetness and acidity.

They were developed to yield big crops of disease-resistant tomatoes, and they appear to do just that. A better boy plant was named by the Guinness book for producing the most tomatoes by weight in a year. This is a great option for either your home garden or your salad bowl.

Black Cherry Tomato

The black cherry tomato is thought to have originated in Central and South America, and is today grown in a variety of regions with warm climates. Despite the name “Black,” these tomatoes are actually a deep purplish-red or mahogany color.

These are small round tomatoes about the size of a cherry. They are mildly sweet but have a hint of smokiness in their flavor. Like all cherry tomatoes, their size makes them perfect for snacking. We think they are ideal for veggie trays. Put them in with a mix of red, yellow, and orange cherry tomatoes to give your tray a color boost. Similarly, cut them in half with other color cherry tomatoes to mix into your salads for the same aesthetic splash of color.

Black Krim Tomato

The black krim tomato comes from Russia. The “Krim” in its name refers to the Crimean Peninsula (actually the Island of Krim off the peninsula), from where it is thought to have originated. Understandably, it’s well-suited for cooler climates.

These medium-sized tomatoes have a dark, purplish-black exterior that deepens as they ripen. They are known for their smoky, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. They are often used in salads and sandwiches and are available in the USA. You may need to visit a good international market to find them.

Brandywine Tomato

The Brandywine tomato is believed to have originated in the 19th century in Pennsylvania. Like other varieties of beefsteak tomatoes, the brandywine are irregularly shaped and large. Actually, these can be huge, often weighing as much as 1 ½ lbs.

Brandywine tomatoes come in various colors, including pink, red, and even yellow. The red and pink tend to remain a bit green at the stem even when ripe. They are known for their sweet and slightly tangy flavor and are great for slicing and using in sandwiches.

Bucking Bronco Tomato

We don’t know who developed the bucking bronco tomato, but as a variety of beefsteak tomatoes, this isn’t surprising. There are a lot of sub-varieties of beefsteak tomatoes. They are popular tomatoes that grow to a pound or more, and have been the subject of a lot of hybrid efforts.

The bucking bronco’s superpower is that it has the classic tomato flavor and is big enough to be an ideal slicing tomato, which is to say, one slice can cover a whole sandwich or burger. So, naturally ,they are a great choice for sandwiches, burgers, and salads. Their classic tomato flavor, however, makes them suitable for just about any tomato application.

Campari Tomato

Campari tomatoes were developed in the late 20th century in Europe. Campari is actually a trademark name for them sold in the USA. Campari tomatoes are vibrant red and small to medium-sized. They are larger than cherry tomatoes, but smaller than plum (roma) tomatoes. You may find them in the grocery sold as “tomato-on-the-vine”

Campari tomatoes are known for their sweet and slightly tangy flavor as well as their juiciness. They are popular as snacking tomatoes, often enjoyed as is or in salads. Their size lends them to use sliced accompanied by sliced mozzarella on an appetizer platter. We like them for Trisch’s stuffed tomatoes. This recipe came from a long time reader, and these smaller tomatoes are perfect to make small stuffed tomato appetizers!

Celebrity Tomato

This is another hybrid tomato developed in the USA in the 1980s. It is bright red and medium-sized globe tomatoes with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Globe tomatoes can be used in about any way globe tomatoes are used, including salads, salsas, and cooking. Given their bright red color, we like these diced for use in a taco bar to show off their nice color. They would also be good as a sliced pizza topping.

Cherokee Purple Tomato

Cherokee Purple tomatoes are believed to have originated with the Cherokee people, and are known to have been cultivated in the 19th century. They are a heritage beefsteak variety commonly grown in North America after a resurgence of their use in the 1990s.

They have a distinctive deep purplish-brown color, often with green shoulders. They tend to average about 8-12 ounces, and are known for their complex, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor. Some describe their taste as earthy.

Due to their unique flavor and striking color, these tomatoes are often used in salads, sandwiches, and salsas. Going against the grain a bit, we recommend using them in bruschetta. You can make an appetizer platter with red, orange, and these purple tomatoes.

Cherry Roma Tomato

Cherry Roma tomatoes are a smaller variant of the classic Roma tomato. Romas were developed in Italy, but the cherry variety has been adapted and grown in various regions around the world. They are bright red and a bit bigger than most cherry tomatoes, with an oblong plum shape. They are sweet and tangy, similar to regular Roma tomatoes. 

These are great for snacking, adding to salads, or using in pasta recipes. They combine the characteristics of the classic roma tomato with the bite-sized convenience of cherry tomatoes, so they are a nice tomato to grow in your garden but also great in the kitchen.

You might consider them in any recipe you want your cherry tomatoes to be on the larger side. We make the sauce with roma tomatoes due to their low water content, but use roasted cherry tomatoes to top the asparagus. These tomatoes can do both.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes, as a category, don’t have a specific origin since they are derived from various wild tomato species. They are grown globally in a wide range of climates, and crossbreeding has resulted in numerous sub-varieties. These varieties can be red, yellow, orange, or even striped. They are normally quite small at less than 1” in diameter, and are known for their sweetness and vibrant flavor. They can range from mildly sweet to intensely sweet depending on the variety.

These tomatoes are often eaten raw as snacks, and are the ubiquitous feature of most veggie trays. They are great on salads particularly if you use multiple colors to enhance the visual appeal. In the kitchens of Live Eat Learn we have 15 Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes we really like.

Chocolate Stripes Tomato

The Chocolate Stripes tomato is a heirloom variety that likely originated in the United States. It is dark red or brownish with green and orange stripes, resembling the patterns on a chocolate cookie. They typically weigh in around 8-12 ounces, and are known for their rich, sweet, and earthy flavor, often with a hint of smokiness.

Chocolate Stripes tomatoes are typically used in salads, sandwiches, and sauces. All the usual culinary applications. Their striking appearance also makes them a favorite for decorative culinary applications. We think they are a great option for stuffed tomatoes. 

Cocktail Tomatoes

Cocktail tomatoes, also known as salad tomatoes, are a little bigger and firmer than cherry tomatoes, about the size of a golf ball, though they look much the same. They come in a range of colors, including red, yellow, and orange, and have a sweet and juicy flavor.

These tomatoes are commonly used in salads, as garnishes, or simply eaten as a healthy snack like cherry tomatoes. When cooked, they stand up to heat well, making them a great option for stuffed tomatoes. They are often sold as mixed varieties, offering a colorful assortment of small tomatoes in one package. This is convenient if you want to showcase a variety of colors in your cuisine, salad, or charcuterie board.

Costoluto Genovese Tomato

Costoluto Genovese tomatoes originated in the area of Genoa in northern Italy. They are slightly tart tomatoes with a vibrant red color. They are generally medium-sized with irregular, heavily ribbed, and flattened shapes. Due to their robust flavor, they are often used for making pasta sauce for Italian cuisine or just slicing for fresh eating. They are ideal for any applications you want a bright red tomato. As a taco component comes to mind.

Currant Tomato

Currant tomatoes are native to South America, but are now also grown in North America and Europe. You can find them in red, yellow, orange, and sometimes even black (purpleish). While they are tiny, usually less than half an inch in diameter, they pack a sweet and tangy flavor.

They are often used as garnishes, in salads, or as an addition to recipes due to their size and burst of flavor.

Early Girl Tomato

Early Girl tomatoes were developed in the United States to deliver multiple harvests until the first frost stops them from producing. They are a globe tomato that typically gets to be about the size of a tennis ball and perhaps 4-8 ounces, and are a sweet tomato with a bit of acidity.

These tomatoes can be used in various dishes, from salads to sandwiches and sauces. Their size is perfect for this ratatouille recipe, or give them a try in your own Shakshuka.

Evergreen Tomato

Evergreen tomatoes were developed by Gleckler Seedmen of Metamora, Ohio in 1956. It is a green-when-ripe variety of medium-size, and a beefsteak shape. As their name suggests they have a unique green color, inside and out, even when fully ripe.

Their flavor is mild and slightly tangy, with a hint of sweetness. They are often used in salads, salsas, and as a striking addition to dishes that benefit from their green color. Perhaps a green salsa for Saint Patrick’s Day or a pre-Christmas party.

Fourth of July Tomato

These tomatoes were developed in the United States specifically to produce fruit early in the summer, by the 4th of July. They are well-suited for regions with warm climates, and are a red medium-sized tomato with a mildly sweet flavor.

Due to their small size and flavorful taste, Fourth of July tomatoes are often used in most common tomato uses including salads and salsas. They are popular with home gardeners as they produce ripe fruit early, and often keep bearing fruit until the first frost.

Gardener’s Delight Tomato

These tomatoes originated in Europe, either Germany or the UK. Both claim the tomato as one of their heirloom fruits. They are now grown more widely in temperate climates around the world. They are red cherry tomatoes known for their exceptionally sweet and tangy flavor.

Like other cherry tomatoes, they are often eaten fresh as a snack, are a good option for veggie trays, in salads, or used as a garnish. As their name suggests, gardeners like these tomatoes. They produce a lot of fruit and are fairly disease-resistant.

Garden Peach Tomato

These strange tomatoes are native to Peru. They are small, bright yellow tomatoes with the standard globe tomato shape. The tomato resembles a peach in that its yellow color seems to blush pink when ripe, and has a fuzzy skin which is really unusual for tomatoes. Peach tomatoes are known for their unique sweet and mild flavor, often accompanied by a slight tartness. These 2-3 ounce tomatoes are often eaten fresh, either on their own or in salads.

German Johnson Tomato

The German Johnson tomato, often called the “German Johnson Pink,” is a beefsteak-style tomato that originated in North Carolina. German Johnson tomatoes are generally pink or pinkish-red in color, with a slightly mottled appearance.

Like other beer take varieties, German Johnson tomatoes are large, often weighing around 1 pound or more. They have a rich, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. Due to their size and flavor, German Johnson tomatoes are commonly used for slicing and eating fresh in sandwiches like BLTs.

Giulietta F1 Tomato

In case the “F1” in the name didn’t give it away, the Giulietta F1 tomato is a hybrid variety developed by a seed company. The “F1” indicates that it’s a first-generation hybrid. Giulietta F1 tomatoes are usually a dull to full red when ripe, and medium-sized. They have a unique oblong shape making them resemble a fat chili pepper.

Giulietta F1 tomatoes are known for their sweet and mild flavor, and are often used in salads, chopped for tacos or fajitas, in salsa, and sauces. Their small size doesn’t lend itself to a slicing tomato for burgers or sandwiches.

Globe Tomato

Globe tomato is more a classification of tomatoes than a specific variety as globe refers to their round shape. They originated in the Americas. but have become a staple in many cuisines around the world. Globe tomatoes vary in size from medium to large, and typically have a deep red color when ripe, although there are also yellow and orange varieties.

Globe tomatoes have a mildly sweet flavor and just a bit of acidity. They are definitely multipurpose and are often used in salsa, sandwiches, pizza, salads, and pasta sauce. Some people even eat them out of hand like an apple.

Golden Jubilee Tomato

Golden Jubilee tomatoes are a hybrid tomato developed in the United States in 1943. They are a meaty globe tomato with a golden-yellow color and are typically medium to large in size. Golden Jubilee tomatoes have a mild and sweet flavor with a slight tang to their taste.

Use their striking golden color in conjunction with bright red tomatoes to create visual appeal in your salads, or as slices put out for a sandwich bar. They also make a nice garnish contrasting well with a bit of parsley. You can also use them in traditionally red tomato recipes like sauces and salsa to create a unique look.

Grape Tomatoes

Grape tomatoes are believed to have originated in the United States but are now also grown in South America, Europe, and Asia. These are small tomatoes, only about half the size of cherry tomatoes. They are oblong shaped like grapes, typically red or yellow, and have thick skins. They aren’t quite as sweet as cherry tomatoes, and a bit less juicy. 

Despite not being the sweetest bite-size tomatoes you can buy, they are a good option for veggie trays. Get multiple colors and mix them for a colorful display. They are an easy addition to salads as they are small and don’t need to be cut. Add them to your pasta dishes, or use them where you might cherry tomatoes, like in bruschetta or one of these four great toast toppings.

Great White Tomato

The Great White Tomato was discovered as a natural mutation in the 1990s. As the name suggests, Great White tomatoes are pale to creamy white in color. They are medium-sized tomatoes, similar in size to classic red tomatoes, but with a shape that resembles a beefsteak tomato. Great White tomatoes are known for their mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of tanginess.

We believe this tomato’s flavor can support about any tomato application, but if you go to the trouble of finding them it ought to be to leverage their unique color. Look for uses in which you can combine red, yellow, white, and perhaps purple tomatoes together. Perhaps on an appetizer tray with mozzarella cheese, or in a taco bar with different colored diced tomatoes to choose from.

Green Beefsteak Tomato

Beefsteak tomatoes, including green varieties, are believed to have originated in Mexico, and were brought to Europe from Mexico by conquistador Hernan Cortez in the early 16th century. Today they are grown in many parts of the world. They are green inside and out when ripe and like other beefsteak tomatoes are quite large. Green beefsteak tomatoes typically have a mild, slightly tangy flavor with a touch of sweetness.

Use these like you would any other beefsteak tomato. They are a great slicing tomato variety for use in sandwiches and burgers, and would make a unique BLT sandwich especially if you used a lettuce that isn’t green to make a contradictory appearance. They are also a great tomato to simply grill. Perhaps grill them together with red and purple beefsteaks for a unique presentation.

Green Zebra Tomato

We will get to the Zebra tomato at the end of this alphabetical list, but we need to first cover the green zebra tomato, which breeder Tom Wagner developed in the United States in 1983. He had been working on this project since the 1950s, but he seems to have gotten the cultivar right after decades of work.

Green Zebra tomatoes have green and yellow stripes, giving them a distinctive and unique appearance. They are small to medium-sized tomatoes with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that has just a hint of citrus to its taste. The stripes become more pronounced as the tomato ripens, and would go well in a stuffed tomato recipe.

Hangover Tomato

The Hangover tomato is a variety developed by breeder Tom Wagner from Washington State who also developed other hybrids to include the green zebra. It was specifically bred to thrive in regions with shorter growing seasons and cooler climates like his native Washington.

This is actually where the unique name comes from. One would think it refers to the recovery from an all-night bender, but that isn’t the case. It simply refers to the tomato’s ability to “hang on” to the vine and survive a cold night or other adverse weather conditions. 

Hangover tomatoes are medium-sized, and typically have a red or pinkish hue. These tomatoes are known for having a pleasant slightly sweet flavor, and can be used in most applications other than those you might prefer either a cherry or beefsteak tomato.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes are not associated with a specific variety of tomato. The term simply refers to any of the different tomato varieties that have been passed down through generations, often desired for their unique characteristics. In other words they aren’t one of the hundreds of recent hybrids developed by growers.

Heirloom tomatoes are open-pollinated varieties, meaning they are pollinated naturally by wind, insects, or birds. They are often desired for their historical significance and diverse array of flavors and appearances.

Hillbilly Tomato

Hillbilly tomatoes are a variety developed in West Virginia in the 1800s, and are an example of how a hybrid tomato in time becomes an heirloom tomato. They are beefsteak tomatoes with a unique yellow and red marbled skin.

They are large tomatoes often reaching 1-2 pounds with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. Like most beefsteak tomatoes they are great slicing tomatoes for sandwiches as a single slice generally fits a piece of bread or burger bun just about right.

Indigo Rose Tomato

Indigo Rose tomatoes were developed by a breeding program at the Oregon State University. The university created this variety to have high levels of antioxidants. It was developed with home gardens and farmers markets in mind, and was the first tomato variety in the world known to contain anthocyanins which are most prevalent in blue and purple fruits.

As the name suggests, indigo rose tomatoes are deep purple to almost black when ripe. They are small to medium-sized tomatoes with a sweet, tangy flavor. They are often used in salads, as garnishes, or in any dish you want to have a striking purple appearance. Perhaps diced for tacos or to create a unique Pico De Gallo.  

Japanese Black Trifele Tomato

Also known as Black Truffle or Trifele Black tomatoes, this tomato was developed in Russia in 1999. They have a unique mahogany color and pear shape, and are about 2-3 inches in diameter (medium-sized).

They have an unusual sweet but smoky taste that some describe as earthy similar to the flavor of truffles, which is how they got their name. Where the Japanese part came from, we haven’t a clue. I suspect it is just that tomatoes and Russia aren’t two words most people think of together.

This tomato is great for fresh eating in leafy green salads where its unique color stands out. It also makes a good color addition to charcuterie boards, or for making tomato sauces you want a dark hue in.

Jersey Boy Tomato

Jersey boy tomatoes were created through crossbreeding of brandywine and rutgers beefsteak tomatoes, by the Burpee Seed Company in 2015. We aren’t sure where the Jersey name comes from as the seed work was done in PA. It could be that Bradywine and Rutgers are both NJ locales.

These are vibrant red tomatoes of medium to large size, averaging around 3-4 inches in diameter. Jersey boy tomatoes are known for their balanced flavor that’s a mix of sweetness and acidity causing some people to claim they are the best tasting tomatoes.

They’re excellent for slicing for sandwiches due to their decent size and outstanding taste, but you can use them for just about any tomato recipe. 

Jubilee Tomato

Jubilee tomatoes were developed in the United States in 1943, and are now 80 years later considered an heirloom variety. Jubilee are medium to large globe-shaped golden-orange tomatoes with very meaty, thick-walled interiors and mild flavor with a bit of tanginess.

Due to their vibrant color and balanced flavor, jubilee tomatoes are often used in salads (ideally combined with other colors for a nice presentation), salsas, and as a garnish to add visual appeal to dishes.

Juliet Tomato

Juliet tomatoes are a hybrid tomato developed in the USA in the 1990s. They are slightly bigger than grape tomatoes but smaller than roma, and have a nice deep red color. They have a sweet flavor similar to cherry tomatoes but have a more elongated shape than do cherry tomato varieties.

Due to their small size and excellent flavor, juliet tomatoes are perfect for veggie trays, charcuterie boards, or really any of our 15 Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes.

Kellogg’s Breakfast Tomato

Okay stay with me on this one. Tomato naming can be a puzzle. Kellogg’s breakfast tomatoes originated in West Virginia in 1993, and were introduced to Darrell Kellogg by a friend.  Kellogg grew the tomatoes in his Michigan garden, but he is of no relation to W.K. Kellogg the breakfast cereal magnate also of Michigan. Where the “breakfast” part came from we don’t know.  While tomatoes are commonly eaten in some European nations for breakfast (usually with yogurt) this isn’t an American tradition. 

Kellogg’s Breakfast tomatoes typically have a vibrant golden-orange color and are medium to large-sized tomatoes.They are known for their rich, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor, and said to have a very balanced taste.

Kellogg’s Breakfast tomatoes are versatile and can be used in any tomato recipe or use that require a burst of sweet tomato flavor, or in applications you just want the color contrast of its golden skin and flesh.

Lemon Boy Tomato

Lemon boy tomatoes were developed in the USA in 1984 specifically to be disease and pest resistant, which is to say yield a better crop and profits for the grower. As the name implies, lemon boy tomatoes are bright yellow resembling a lemon, and are medium-sized tomatoes. These tomatoes are typically sweet with a mild tanginess, making them a refreshing and flavorful choice.

Lemon boy tomatoes are a good option for adding color to your tomato presentations. Yellow tomatoes are not as common as red, orange, or even purple tomatoes, and give you one more option for adding a splash of color. Consider having a bowl of diced tomatoes of each color for your home taco night, or for fajitas.

Lillian’s Yellow Heirloom Tomato

Sometimes referred to simply as “Lillian’s Yellow,” this heirloom tomato was created by Lillian Bruce of Tennessee, and is popular with home gardeners. These tomatoes are, as the name suggests, a beautiful shade of yellow and range in size from small to medium. The flavor is said to be sweet and fruity with a balanced acidity.

We just remarked on how unusual bright yellow tomatoes are in the lemon boy tomato (above) and alphabetically we happen to hit another bright yellow tomato.  Again, we think the best uses are any application you want to accent with an additional color. A leafy green salad with a white dressing covered in 4 colors of sliced tomatoes makes a nice presentation. 

Marmande Beefsteak Tomato

Marmande beefsteak tomatoes came to us from France where they grew on farms around the city of Marmande in SW France in the 19th Century.  Oddly, a blight devastated vineyards in the region in 1870, and many growers replaced their grapes with this tomato, and its popularity took off. That is probably more history than you wanted, but we find the odd events that often lead to the adoption of food fascinating.

Marmande is usually red, but can also have an orange or pink hue. They are juicy medium to large-sized beefsteak tomatoes with a sweet and slightly acidic flavor. As beefsteak tomatoes, they are great for slicing and using on burgers, sandwiches, or  BLTs. Their sweet juicy qualities certainly support their use in salads or really just about any tomato recipe.

Matt’s Wild Cherry Tomato

The ancestor of these tomatoes was native to Central America and Mexico, but these were actually a cultivar of the wild tomatoes developed by Doctor Matt Liebman or Maine. Matt’s wild cherry tomatoes are red when ripe, and very small like other cherry tomatoes. Matt’s tomatoes are known for their intense, sweet, and tangy flavor which is probably what he was seeking in his hybridization efforts.

These are great for snacking. Include them in your veggie trays or charcuterie boards. Cut them in half and top your salads with them, or try one of our 15 Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes.

Micro Tom Tomato

Also known as Tiny Tim tomatoes, these tomatoes were developed for indoor and small space gardening, making them popular for container gardening. Micro Tom tomatoes are red when ripe and are extremely small tomatoes, often just a centimeter or so in diameter, and are mildly sweet. They are often used simply as decorative plants but are a great variety to grow in a pot on your balcony. 

Moneymaker Tomato

Moneymaker tomatoes were originally developed in England, but are now grown in various regions around the world, including Europe and North America. The name “Moneymaker” comes from the variety’s reputation for being a reliable and prolific producer, making it a popular choice for home gardeners and small-scale farmers. These tomatoes are typically medium-size growing to 4-6 ounces, and deep red. They are moderately sweet with a slight tang.

Monterosa Tomato

Monterosa tomatoes may be the newest tomatoes we review in this post as they were developed in Catalonia, Spain, in 2012. They spread quickly, as they are now grown in other Mediterranean countries as well. These tomatoes are a bright red color and are typically medium-sized, around 3 to 4 inches in diameter. They are known for their sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. You can use these as you would other globe-style tomatoes.

Mortgage Lifter Beefsteak Tomato

Mortgage Lifter tomatoes were developed by a gardener named Radiator Charlie in the 1930s in Logan, West Virginia. While we don’t suppose that is his real name, he did have a knack for growing tomatoes. He created this variety as a hybrid from the four largest beefsteak varieties he could find. The result is this pink or reddish-pink tomato that can weigh up to 4 lbs and very often weighs over 2.

The Mortgage lifter isn’t just big. It has won several awards for taste as well, which is mild, sweet, and slightly tangy. Their size makes them ideal as slicing tomatoes. If you can find them, try them on a BLT sandwich, or perhaps try them as a topping on these vegetarian halloumi burgers. 

The name “Mortgage Lifter” came from Charlie’s success in selling the plants for $1 each during the Great Depression, helping him pay off his mortgage.

Mr. Stripey Tomato

Mr. Stripey tomatoes are an heirloom tomato named for their distinct red stripes on a yellow tomato. They are typically a medium to large tomato ranging between 12-24 ounces. There are also a wide range of appearances as the stripes seem to differ greatly from fruit to fruit. 

They have a mild, sweet, and tangy flavor, and make a good slicing tomato due to their size, but their unique appearance suggests they would be better as a stuffed tomato option to showcase their unique appearance.

Orange Oxheart Tomato

These orange to yellowish tomatoes are medium to large and generally weigh 6 to 10 ounces. As their name suggests, their shape resembles a heart. They have a sweet fruity flavor and can be used in any recipe that calls for tomatoes other than cherry tomatoes.

Pantano Romanesco Tomato

Pantano Romanesco tomatoes were developed in Italy, and are named after the town of Pantano Italy. They are now, however, widely grown around the Mediterranean and North America. These tomatoes are deep red with a slightly ribbed appearance and are medium-sized tomatoes, usually growing to 2 to 4 inches in diameter. They are known for their sweet flavor, and we think a good option for homemade romesco sauce.

Pineapple Tomato

You may also see these tomatoes called Ananas Noir or Black Pineapple tomatoes. They were developed in Kentucky, and named for their bi-colored appearance, with green shoulders and a mix of yellow, orange, and red on the lower portion. This is a beefsteak variety that can grow to 1-2 pounds each. 
They are known for their sweet, almost tropical-like flavor (again thus the name) with a hint of acidity.

Pineapple tomatoes are great for slicing and using on sandwiches. Their yellow color contrasts with the normal red sandwich tomato. Their sweet taste makes them a good candidate beyond the bun. They would be great in your favorite salsa.

Plum Regal Tomato

Sometimes also called Italian Plum Regal tomatoes, they are commonly associated with Italian cuisine, having come from Italy. They are shaped like plums and weigh about 3-4 ounces each, roughly the same size as damson plums.

They have a strong, sweet flavor, dense flesh, and fewer seeds than other tomato varieties. We recommend these tomatoes for use in Italian-inspired cuisines like roasted asparagus with romesco sauce or to make your favorite pasta sauce.

Pruden’s Purple Tomato

Also known as Pruden’s Purple Beefsteak tomatoes, they are attributed to Mrs Pruden of Kentucky. We don’t have a date of her work, but they are considered a heirloom variety meaning they have been around for a while. These tomatoes aren’t very purple, as their name would suggest, having a deep purple-red color.

Pruden’s Purple tomatoes are large and beefsteak-like, often weighing over a pound. They are known for a rich flavor that is both sweet and slightly tangy. They are great for slicing but would work just fine in any chili recipe.

RAF Tomato

RAF stands for “Resistant Alternaria Fruit.” They were developed in Spain around 1961, and were specifically bred to resist the Alternaria fungus, which causes a common disease in tomatoes. 

RAF tomatoes are typically red or pink, and medium-sized. They have a rich sweet flavor making them good cut into salads, or really most any red tomato use that isn’t better served by cherry tomatoes or the larger slicing beefsteaks.

Rebellion Tomato

Rebellion tomatoes are red, typically medium to large-sized tomatoes. They offer a classic tomato flavor that’s slightly sweet and tangy. They are a versatile tomato that will serve your cooking well in a host of tomato recipes.

Red Currant Tomato

Red Currant tomatoes originated in South America and have become popular worldwide. They are small, often about the size of a currant or grape, and have a sweet and intense flavor, often described as bursting with tomato essence.

Due to their small size and bold flavor, Red Currant tomatoes are often used whole in salads, on veggie trays, or bruschetta. Looking for something else? Try any of our 15 Ways to Use Cherry Tomatoes.

Roma Tomato

Roma are also known as the Plum tomato, Italian plum tomato, and paste tomato. Their name, a nod to the Italian city of Rome, was meant to put a distinctly Italian stamp on these worldwide popular tomatoes originally grown in Naples,, Italy. You will mostly find Roma tomatoes in red, but there are also yellow and orange varieties. They are oval to almost cylindrically shaped and smaller than globe or beefsteak tomatoes, usually measuring about 2 to 3 inches long.  

Roma tomatoes are known for their mildly sweet, robust flavor. Their lower moisture content compared to other tomato varieties makes them a clear favorite in fire-roasted tomatoes or tomato gazpacho. 

Due to their meaty texture and low moisture content, Roma tomatoes are also a good option for making tomato sauces, pastes, and canning. They are also used in soups, stews, and dishes where a concentrated tomato flavor is desired. They work well for oven-drying and preserving, or in your air fryer.

The other great thing about Roma tomatoes is they are often the cheapest tomato at the grocery! But, if you like to cook with home grown, they are well-suited for container gardening due to their compact size.

Rutgers Tomato

Rutgers tomatoes are sometimes referred to as “Rutgers Scarlet” tomatoes in a nod to the Scarlet Knight mascot of NJ’s Rutgers State University where these were developed. As a graduate of Penn State’s School of Nutrition, I can’t help but see this tomato as a rival to my Nittany Lions. Seriously though, hats off to Rutgers as the Rutgers tomatoes played a significant role in shaping modern tomato breeding. They were developed in the 1920s to address disease resistance and flavor, becoming a standard for future breeding programs.

Rutgers tomatoes are medium-sized, and of course scarlet red. These tomatoes offer a well-balanced flavor that’s slightly sweet and tangy. They are commonly used for canning, sauces, and sandwiches.

San Marzano Tomato

Also known as San Marzano plum tomatoes, they came from the Italian town of San Marzano sul Sarno in 1926, and are primarily grown in the Campania region, particularly around Mount Vesuvius. 

They are a deep red medium to large tomato with an elongated shape. They are  known for their sweet and less acidic flavor, and have a rich, slightly tangy taste. They are a regionally important crop as mostly are canned as tomato paste. Their low water content makes them ideal for tomato sauce.

Santorini Tomato

Santorini tomatoes are native to the Greek island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, a heavily touristed island known for its beaches, volcanic rock, and white houses. The tomatoes, however, are deep red, small, and round, cherry tomatoes. Like most cherry tomatoes, they are sweet but sometimes described as intensely flavored.

This could be the result of growing in volcanic soil, which no doubt contributes to their distinct flavor. These tomatoes are typically used like other cherry tomatoes and are great in veggie trays, whole in salads, and our favorite uses bruschetta and pizza.

Striped German Tomato

The Striped German Tomato is an aesthetic large slicing tomato with bright orange-marbled stripes. The flat, medium to large, tomatoes are shaded yellow and red with a wonderful marbled interior. These tomatoes offer a balance of sweet and tangy flavors, often described as having a rich taste.

Our recommendation is to use these as a slicing tomato to show off their unique appearance. Slice these and put them on a platter when making burgers or sandwiches and let your guests build their own. 

Sun Gold Tomato

This bright orange cherry tomato was developed in Japan and bred for exceptional sweetness and a fruity taste. It isn’t too much to say they offer a burst of flavor in each bite.

Use these together with red and yellow cherry tomatoes on a veggie tray or charcuterie board. They are great  grilled or roasted in the air fryer or oven. And, of course, like all cherry tomatoes they are great just thrown whole or halved into your summer vegetable salad.

Super Sweet 100 Tomato

The Super Sweet 100 tomato is a hybrid variety developed by the Burpee Seed Co. These cherry tomatoes are typically red in color, and small at about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. As the name suggests, they are known for their high sugar content and very sweet flavor.

These are great as snacks right off the veggie tray. Add them to salads halved or whole, and incorporate them into your cooking where cherry tomatoes are called for and you want a sweet results.

Tangerine Tomato

We aren’t really sure where or when the tangerine tomato was developed, likely the 1930s as they are not a new cultivar. They are bright orange to tangerine color and of medium to large size at typically 6-8 ounces. They are known for their sweet and tangy flavor with fruity undertones. They are large enough to slice for sandwiches, but also good for salads or salsa to add a color variation.

Tigerella Tomato

Tigerella tomatoes were developed in the United Kingdom, and have become popular among home gardeners worldwide. These medium-sized tomatoes have a distinct striped pattern as you can clearly see in the photo. This is part of what makes them so popular.

They also have a sweet tangy flavor to go with their unique appearance. So what do you do with such a cool-looking tomato? Well, don’t make salsa or dice them. They are a great option for these stuffed tomatoes used as an appetizer.

Tomaccio Tomato

Also known as “Dried Tomato,” “Raisin Tomato”, the tomaccio was developed in Israel from a wild Peruvian tomato. They are now grown more broadly. They ripen to a deep red and are cherry style tomatoes at about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in diameter. Tomaccio are intensely sweet with a slightly tart undertone. In Israel they are often dried due to their high sugar content. 

Valencia Tomato

There is a common belief that Valencia tomatoes are native to Spain, but there is actually more evidence that they were developed in Maine. Either way, they are now a popular heirloom variety with a unique appearance. They have a sunset orange skin and flesh when ripe and do resemble a valencia orange, where their name originated. They are a juicy orange with a firm skin making them great slicing tomatoes. They are one of the sweeter varieties, with the classic tomato flavor that everyone loves! You can use these in most tomato applications unless you are after that deep red color.

White Cherry Tomato

Also known as the “Snow White Cherry Tomato”, this cherry tomato was developed by Joe Bratka of New Jersey. They aren’t really white but more a pale yellow, and are the size of most cherry tomatoes. They are described as mildly sweet, and can be used like other cherry tomatoes in salads, veggie trays, or as a garnish.

Yellow Pear Tomato

The pear tomato originated in Europe in the 18th century, and the English brought it to America not long after. These small, yellow fruits that have a tangy, almost citrus flavor, and as the name suggests are shaped like a pear with a thin neck and bulb at the bottom. 

These are a great option for veggie trays, halving and putting in salads, or consider using them in lieu of cherry tomatoes in a variety of recipes. 

Zebra Tomato

You may see these called green zebra or red zebra tomatoes. We discussed the green zebra above. The red zebra appears to have been a natural cross between Tom Wagner’s Green Zebra and an unknown parent. It was discovered growing by Jeff Dawson in his California fields in the 1990s.

Red Zebras are similar to their green cousins but of course red. They do have similar aesthetically pleasing stripes and are said to be sweet and delicious. Their bright color makes them a good option for a wide range of tomato cuisine we have discussed in the previous varieties.