Types of Tomatoes

Tomato sauce and tomato soup are some of the most sought after foods in all parts of the world. These days, countless varieties of tomatoes are available in market. Tomatoes are classified according to the days required to ripen or according to color, size, shape and flavor. Weather, sunlight, soil and growing period play an important role in growing tomatoes indoors. Growing tomatoes in your backyards is very easy.

Tomato Varieties to Grow in Your Backyard

Name of the Variety	Days Needed to Mature
Airyleaf	75
Alaska	72
Al-Kuffa	70
Amish Paste	85
Ananas Noire	80
Anna Russian	65
Aunt Gertie's Gold	75
Aunt Ginny's Purple Heirloom	79
Banana Legs	75
Beauty	80
Bella Rosa	75
Better Bush	68
Big Beef VFFNTA Hybrid	73
Big Boy Hybrid	78
Black Cherry	65
Black Ethiopian	80
Black from Tula	75
Black Krim	75
Black Moor Grape	75
Black Pearl	65
Black Prince	70
Black Sea Man	75
Black Truffle	75
Black Zebra	80
Box Car Willie	80
Cherokee Purple	72
Polbig	60
Super Fantastic	70
Supersteak	80

Tomato Types

How many species of tomatoes are there? The answer is 'innumerable'. Tomatoes come in various sizes and colors. The word 'tomato' creates a picture of red tomato before our eyes but tomatoes can be yellow, purple, green and black. There can be a combination of two or more colors and some tomatoes can even have stripes. Within each specific type and variety of tomato, there exist innumerable number of varieties. Some of the major types of tomatoes are described below.

• Beefsteak Tomatoes: These are big tomatoes which are used for cooking, salad decoration or for various garnishes. Normally, a beefsteak tomato weighs around one pound but it may weigh over two pounds also!
• Cherry Tomatoes: There are different varieties of cherry tomatoes. These tomatoes are as small as a cherry and are slightly sour in taste. They are usually added to salads. If you want, you may eat them as a snack.
• Currant Tomatoes: Currant tomatoes are as small as a pea and they are known for their peculiar strong flavor. They are widely used in salads. You may use them for garnishing as well. Dietitians recommend use of currant tomatoes as they offer more health benefits than most tomato varieties.
• Globe Tomatoes: This is the most common variety of tomatoes. These are medium-sized tomatoes which are commonly used for cooking. Sliced globe tomatoes are used in hamburgers and all types of fast foods, including tomato soup recipes. You can enjoy tomato soup or salted slices with lunch or dinner.
• Grape Tomatoes: These tomatoes are shaped like grapes. The size also matches well with grapes. They are sweeter than most other varieties, and you can add them to salads or other vegetables.
• Pear Tomatoes: As the name suggests, they look like a pear. But they are almost like cherry tomatoes, if size is taken into consideration. They are eaten as a snack or as an ingredient of a salad.
• Plum Tomatoes: These are oblong shaped tomatoes. They are comparatively thicker than other varieties. They have less seeds than other tomato varieties and so they are considered as one of the best types of tomatoes for sauce. These tomatoes are used to make tomato paste too. Roma is the most popular variety of plum tomatoes. This is one of the best varieties of tomatoes that are used for canning. You can grow plum tomatoes easily in containers. Other tomato species that can be grown in containers are Better Boy, Ace, Early Girl, Pixie, Sweet 100 and Red Cherry.

Summer is the season when tomatoes are abundant in the market. These days, in warmer regions, tomatoes are grown year round.