The best tasting tomato depends on who you ask, but Brandywine and Cherokee Purple top most expert rankings. These heirloom varieties deliver rich, complex flavors that store-bought tomatoes can't match. Taste testers around the world keep coming back to these two classics year after year.
I ran my own taste test last summer with twelve different varieties from my garden. Friends and family tried each one blind without knowing the names. Brandywine won for slicing tomatoes with its creamy texture and balanced sweetness. Cherokee Purple came second with its deep smoky notes.
The cherry tomato category had a clear winner too. Sungold blew away every other small tomato in our test. The burst of sweetness when you bite one is hard to beat. Even people who say they don't like tomatoes loved these bright orange gems.
USDA research helps explain why some tomatoes taste better than others. The tomato flavor profile comes down to sugar and acid balance. Sugar levels in tomatoes range from three to nine percent across varieties. Acid content varies too and affects how sweet or tangy each bite tastes.
The most flavorful tomato variety for you might not match what others prefer. Some people love high acid tomatoes with that classic tangy punch. Others want maximum sweetness with less bite. Your growing conditions also change how any variety tastes in your garden.
Brandywine gives you that classic tomato flavor from years gone by. The pink fruits grow large and have a creamy texture that melts on your tongue. Beefsteak types work best sliced thick on sandwiches or eaten plain with salt.
Cherokee Purple offers something different with its dusky color and complex taste. Many people describe notes of smoke and wine mixed with the sweetness. The dark flesh looks amazing on a plate and the flavor stays bold even when cooked into sauces.
For the sweetest heirloom tomato in the cherry category, try Sungold or Sun Sugar. Both pack intense sweetness that kids and adults devour straight off the vine. Cherry types also ripen faster than beefsteaks so you can start enjoying them weeks earlier in the season.
My advice is to grow at least three or four varieties each year to find your personal favorites. What tastes best to you is all that matters in the end. Plant some beefsteaks, some cherries, and maybe a paste type for cooking. Your taste buds will thank you all summer long.
Read the full article: Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties to Grow
