Experience the Rich Flavor of Ace 55 Tomatoes

The sweet juiciness of a ripe tomato straight from the vine is one of summer’s simple pleasures. But finding full tomato flavor in those pallid grocery store offerings can be a challenge. For superior taste that will make your sandwiches and salads sing, there’s no substitute for vine-ripened homegrown tomatoes.

If you want crunchy bites bursting with rich, complex flavor, it’s time to meet Ace 55. This incredible tomato combines heavy yields on hardy plants with extraordinary taste. Once you try one, you’ll see why Ace 55 has become a favorite among home gardeners and market growers alike.

An Introduction to Ace 55 Tomatoes

The Ace 55 tomato variety burst onto the home gardening scene in the early 1990s as an extra-early hybrid with incredible flavor. It resulted from breeding two early determinate tomatoes – the productive Ace and the compact VF 145-2.

The goal was to create a variety that ripened weeks earlier than standard types but still delivered that intense vine-ripened tomato taste. The winning combination of genes produced Ace 55.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds first offered Ace 55 seeds to home gardeners in 1992. Since then, its reputation for early yields, disease resistance, and knockout flavor has made it a backyard favorite across North America.

These petite 4-7 ounce fruits ripen a vivid red just 55 days from transplanting. Their meaty texture and rich sweetness add up to tomato perfection. The compact plants pump out impressive quantities, making Ace 55 perfect for fresh eating, sandwiches, sauces, and more.

Fast Fact:

• Color: Vivid red when ripe
• Size: 4-7 ounce uniformly-sized fruits
• Shape: Round, globe-shaped
• Texture: Firm yet juicy, great crunch
• Taste: Sweet and rich with tangy undertones
• Plant Type: Semi-determinate vines
• Days to Maturity: 55 days from transplant
• Productivity: Very high yields
• Disease Resistance: V, F, N, TMV

The Flavor and Texture of Ace 55 Tomatoes

The flavor of Ace 55 is remarkably sweet and complex when vine-ripened. Biting into one rewards you with an explosion of rich tomato essence and balanced acidity. The thin skin provides little barrier to the rush of sweet juiciness inside.

The flesh is crunchy and firm, staying crisp even when very ripe, unlike ordinary tomatoes that get mushy. This great texture combines with knock-your-socks-off flavor for an extraordinary eating experience.

Ace 55 owes its incredible taste to the ideal sugar and acid ratio that creates a multi-dimensional flavor profile. Initial sweetness gives way to bright, tangy fruit tones in a symphony of tomato goodness. For depth of flavor, Ace 55 is in a class of its own.

To fully appreciate the stellar flavor and texture of Ace 55 tomatoes, allow them to ripen on the vine as long as possible. The Gardener’s Blue Ribbon tomato cage provides robust support for the heavy fruit clusters.

Growing Ace 55 Tomatoes in Your Garden

When starting Ace 55 tomatoes from seed indoors, use a sterile seed starting mix like Jiffy peat pellets to prevent damping off disease. Place the seeds under grow lights set to 14-16 hours per day, providing warmth and light for strong germination. A heating mat like VIVOSUN’s seedling heat mat under the seeds at 75-80°F encourages robust sprouting.

The Jiffy greenhouse dome creates an ideal microclimate for the seedlings while allowing plenty of light from above. Keep the dome vented to prevent moisture buildup. Grow the Ace 55 seeds for 6-8 weeks before hardening off and transplanting into the garden.

Once nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50°F, the hardened-off Ace 55 tomato transplants can be moved outdoors. Give each plant spacious planting holes about 24-36 inches apart in a sunny location with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Install sturdy tomato cages like the Tomato Master trellis when transplanting the seedlings to provide support for the vigorous vines and heavy fruit loads. determinate varieties may only need short cages.

Ace 55 tomatoes need consistent moisture for optimal growth and productivity. Apply mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture. Drip irrigation like the Orbit B-Hyve timer allows customizable watering right to the root zone of each plant. Avoid overhead watering, which can lead to disease problems.

As the tomato vines grow, prune back excessive leaves and shoots to open up the plant for good airflow and sun exposure. Check weekly for hornworms, aphids, and other common tomato pests. Treat organically with neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays if found.

Harvest Ace 55 tomatoes when the fruits are fully red and slightly soft to the touch for peak flavor. With attentive care throughout the season, each Ace 55 plant can yield dozens of delicious tomatoes to enjoy fresh or preserved!

Tasty Ace 55 Tomato Recipes

The thin skin and firm flesh of Ace 55 tomatoes make them perfect for recipes like:

Ace 55 Tomato Mozzarella Skewers

Thread chunks of ripe Ace 55 tomatoes alternating with fresh mozzarella balls and basil leaves onto skewers. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Ace 55 Tomato Galette

Lay sliced Ace 55 tomatoes in circles overlapping on a round of pie dough. Top with goat cheese crumbles, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Fold the dough edges over and bake at 425°F until crisp.

Creamy Ace 55 Tomato Soup

Sauté 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in olive oil. Add 5 chopped Ace 55 tomatoes and 4 cups chicken broth. Simmer then blend until smooth and creamy.

Ace 55 Tomato Feta Tart

Press a pie dough into a tart pan. Layer with sliced Ace 55 tomatoes, crumbled feta, olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs. Bake at 400°F until golden brown.

Grilled Ace 55 Tomato Slices

Brush thick slices of Ace 55 tomatoes with olive oil and grill for 2-3 minutes per side. Top with crumbled feta, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.

The thin skin and firm flesh of the Ace 55 tomatoes really shine when highlighted raw in recipes like these. Their sweet, complex flavor is the star of these fresh preparations.

Where to Find Ace 55 Tomato Plants and Seeds?

Ace 55 tomato seeds are available from top vegetable seed suppliers including:

• Burpee – Long-trusted source for non-GMO, untreated tomato seeds.
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds – Specialist in commercial varieties like Ace 55 for home gardens.
• Park Seed – Wide selection of tomato seeds, including early hybrid Ace 55.
• Seed Savers Exchange – Heirloom organization offering organic Ace 55 seeds.

You can also purchase starter plants from greenhouses and nurseries. Be sure to shop early, as Ace 55 transplants sell out quickly. If you can’t find them locally, mail-order sites like Territorial Seed Company and Burpee Plants carry Ace 55 and other quality tomato starts ready for your garden.

Wrapping up!

For gardeners who want crunchy, flavorful tomatoes ahead of the main season varieties, Ace 55 is a stellar choice. These vigorous plants yield early and often, rewarding you with harvests of sweet, rich-tasting fruits.

With great productivity and disease resistance, Ace 55 is easy to grow in the home garden or market field. If you haven’t tasted Ace 55 tomatoes before, be prepared for fruit with a flavor that will blow you away!