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Heirloom tomatoes are old-fashioned fruit varieties passed down through generations. They are open pollinated and prized for their distinctive flavors. They ripen naturally and are fragile, with different characteristics and colors. Heirloom tomatoes help maintain genetic diversity, ensuring their future existence.
While there may be some controversy over the details, heirloom tomatoes are generally considered old-fashioned or “heirloom” fruit varieties. They are often made from seeds that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Available in varieties with different characteristics, heirloom tomatoes tend to be prized for their distinctive flavors.
Unlike hybrids, heirloom tomatoes are open pollinated. An open pollinated plant reproduces “true to type” from its own seeds. Hybrid plant seeds, if they grow at all, typically revert to the parent stock. Hybrid tomatoes are grown under carefully controlled conditions to produce qualities suitable for the rigors of commercial distribution. Because hybrids are typically harvested while green and artificially ripen during shipment, they tend to be less flavorful than heirloom tomatoes.
Heirloom tomatoes can ripen naturally, so they are only found in season. Ripe heirloom tomatoes are relatively fragile and don’t last long. They can be kept at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, just a day or two. Tomatoes should not be refrigerated, as refrigeration causes both flavor and texture to deteriorate.
Heirloom tomato varieties can be selected for specific plant characteristics. Such characteristics include the yield of fruit produced, as well as the type of fruit produced. Some heirloom tomatoes are best eaten “out of the hand,” while others are superior for making juice, salsa, pasta, and other produce.
The appearance of ripe fruit differs greatly from one variety to another in size, shape, color, texture, flavor, and other traits. Sizes range from chopped cherry tomatoes to individual fruits weighing up to 90 kg. The fruits can be oblong, elongated, pear-shaped, plum-shaped or round, with some varieties having ridges on their outer surface.
Colors include shades of white, yellow, green, pink, orange, red, purple and black. Some heirloom tomato varieties bear fruit in color combinations. In general, the lighter the color, the less acidic or sweet the tomato tastes. Conversely, the deeper the colour, the more acidic and definitive the tomato flavours.
Although other types of plants are propagated through heirloom methods, tomatoes are among the most popular. Many varieties have unique histories, and some gardeners plant heirloom tomatoes out of nostalgia or a sense of connection to the past. Others grow heirlooms because the practice helps maintain genetic diversity – a quality vital to plant survival. Regardless of the motivation, a number of individuals and organizations are committed to ensuring the future existence of heirloom tomatoes.
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