What are the sweetest, most flavorful tomatoes you can grow in your own backyard? From bite-sized cherry tomatoes bursting with sugary goodness to juicy slicing tomatoes loaded with rich, complex flavors, these top tomato picks will have your taste buds doing a happy dance all summer long.
Imagine plucking sun-warmed tomatoes right off the vine and popping them into your mouth – that intoxicating aroma, the burst of intense tomato flavor, and sweet juices dribbling down your chin. Grow your own taste of tomato heaven with these 15 delectable varieties.
Why Do Homegrown Tomatoes Taste So Much Better?
You’ve heard it a million times – there’s simply no comparison between tasteless supermarket tomatoes and lusciously ripe homegrown tomatoes. But what makes that flavor difference so dramatic?
The answer lies in shipping, harvesting practices, and plant variety. Commercial tomatoes are bred for toughness, not taste, so they can survive the long journey from farm to grocery store. They’re also picked unripe and gassed with ethylene to turn red, a process that sacrifices flavor for durability.
Homegrown tomatoes, on the other hand, can be bred solely for incredible taste since they don’t have to face the harsh conditions of long-distance shipping. And you get to leave them on the vine until they’re at peak ripeness and flavor.
What Makes a Tomato Variety Taste Great?
While growing practices play a huge role, some tomato varieties are simply born with better genetics for sensational flavor. The most delicious cultivars tend to have:
- A perfect balance of sugars and acids
- Thin skins and few seed compartments (which can taste bitter)
- Juice with lots of delightfully messy “tomato guts”
- Rich, complex flavors are often described as smoky, earthy, or fruity
With so many amazing tomato varieties to choose from, how do you pick the tastiest gems? These 15 jewel-toned beauties get rave reviews for incredible homegrown flavor.
What Are the Best Cherry Tomato Varieties for Flavor?
Cherry tomatoes are a favorite among home gardeners due to their prolific production and sweet, intense flavors. These bite-sized tomatoes are perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or incorporating into various dishes. Here are some of the best-tasting cherry tomato varieties to try:
1. Sun Gold
These orange-yellow cherry tomatoes are a true taste sensation! Sun Golds are incredibly sweet with a hint of tropical flavor, making them a perfect snacking tomato straight from the vine. Developed by Dr. Jim Myers at the University of Florida, Sun Golds are a hybrid variety that combines incredible sweetness with a lovely, fruity aroma.
2. Sweet Million
As the name suggests, Sweet Million tomatoes are incredibly prolific and pack a delightfully sweet punch. Their classic red color and juicy flesh make them a crowd-pleaser. These hybrid cherry tomatoes were developed by Seeds by Design and are known for their high sugar content and exceptional flavor.
3. Black Cherry
Don’t let the dark purple-black color fool you – Black Cherry tomatoes are bursting with a rich, complex flavor that’s both sweet and tangy. They’re a unique addition to any tomato garden. This heirloom variety originated in Russia and has become a favorite among tomato connoisseurs for its intense, almost smoky taste.
4. Yellow Pear
These petite, pear-shaped tomatoes have a vibrant yellow hue and a delightfully sweet, almost fruity taste. Perfect for salads or snacking, Yellow Pear tomatoes are a charming and flavorful addition to any garden. This heirloom variety has been cultivated for generations and is prized for its unique shape and delicate flavor.
5. Red Grape
With their oblong shape and juicy, sweet-tart flavor, Red Grape tomatoes are a versatile choice for cooking or eating fresh. These hybrid cherry tomatoes are known for their high yield and crack-resistant skin, making them a reliable choice for home gardeners.
What Are the Most Flavorful Large Tomato Varieties?
For those who prefer larger tomatoes, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. These beefsteak and sliced tomatoes offer a balance of sweetness, acidity, and complex flavors that make them perfect for sandwiches, sauces, and fresh eating. Here are some of the most flavorful large tomato varieties:
6. Brandywine
Brandywine tomatoes are an heirloom variety known for their exceptional flavor and rich history. With their deep red color and perfect balance of sweet and acidic notes, they’re a true tomato lover’s delight. These large, beefsteak-style tomatoes originated in the Brandywine Creek region of Pennsylvania and have been cherished for generations.
7. Cherokee Purple
This unique heirloom tomato boasts a striking purple-red color and a rich, almost smoky flavor. Cherokee Purple tomatoes are a must-try for anyone seeking a truly distinctive tomato experience. Originally cultivated by the Cherokee people, these large, slightly flattened tomatoes have a complex, earthy taste that sets them apart.
8. Mortgage Lifter
Named for its legendary origins, the Mortgage Lifter tomato is a true American classic. These large, meaty tomatoes have a sweet, well-balanced flavor that will make you forget about bland grocery store varieties. The story goes that a man named M.C. Byles developed this heirloom variety in the 1930s and sold the plants to pay off his mortgage, earning it its iconic name.
9. Marmande
Originating in France, Marmande tomatoes are prized for their intense, almost umami-like flavor. Their juicy flesh and slightly flattened shape make them perfect for slicing and adding to sandwiches or salads. This heirloom variety has been cultivated in the Marmande region of southwestern France for centuries and is known for its rich, savory taste.
10. Kellogg’s Breakfast
With their bright orange color and deliciously sweet, tangy taste, Kellogg’s Breakfast tomatoes are a vibrant addition to any garden. They’re perfect for juicing or adding to your morning omelet. This heirloom variety was introduced in the early 20th century and has become a favorite among gardeners for its unique appearance and bold flavor.
What About Unique Tomato Varieties?
If you’re looking for something truly special, consider growing these unique tomato varieties with exceptional flavors and striking appearances:
11. Indigo Rose
The deep purple-blue color of Indigo Rose tomatoes is a showstopper, but their rich, complex flavor is what really sets them apart. These tomatoes have a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with hints of blueberry and plum. Developed by Dr. Jim Myers and the team at Oregon State University, Indigo Rose tomatoes get their unique color from anthocyanin pigments.
12. Pineapple
As the name suggests, Pineapple tomatoes have a distinctly tropical flavor reminiscent of their namesake fruit. They’re a delightful addition to salsas, salads, or just enjoyed fresh off the vine. These large, yellow-streaked tomatoes originated in the United States and have become a favorite among gardeners seeking a truly unique flavor experience.
13. Green Zebra
With their striking green-striped appearance and tangy, slightly zingy flavor, Green Zebra tomatoes are a unique and delicious choice for tomato lovers seeking something a bit different. This heirloom variety was developed in the 1980s and has since become a favorite among chefs and home gardeners alike for its vibrant color and tart, citrusy taste.
14. Aunt Ruby’s German Green
This large, beefsteak-style tomato has a vibrant green color and a delightfully sweet, almost spicy flavor. Aunt Ruby’s German Green tomatoes are a true taste sensation. Named after the woman who first shared the seeds with gardeners in the 1970s, this heirloom variety is prized for its unique color and complex, slightly smoky taste.
15. OSU Blue
Developed by Dr. Jim Myers and the team at Oregon State University, OSU Blue tomatoes have a deep blue-purple hue and a complex, almost smoky flavor. They’re a conversation-starter in any garden or on any plate. These unique tomatoes are the result of breeding that introduced anthocyanin pigments, giving them their striking color and contributing to their rich, earthy taste profile.
What Makes For a Tasty Tomato? A Few Key Tips
Beyond variety selection, there are definitely other tricks to growing tomatoes with mind-blowing flavors. While genetics plays a huge role, environmental factors and cultural practices have a major impact on taste as well. Some key tips:
- Let them ripen on the vine as long as possible to develop peak sugars and aroma compounds
- Give them oodles of direct sunshine – that’s what creates the intense sweet, rich tomato taste
- Grow them in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil and feed them with calcium for better-quality fruits
- Pinch off excess foliage to allow sunlight to reach fruits and focus plant energy into developing them
- Water consistently and use mulch to prevent drought stress that can cause bland taste
- Learn the peak tomato picking time for your climate and don’t let fruits over-ripen
The Perfect Weather for Incredible Tomato Flavor
While you can take steps like the ones above to maximize flavor, a huge factor is also the overall summer weather patterns. The absolute most flavorful, sweetest tomatoes develop with:
- Warm sunny days above 75°F during fruit development for maximum sugar accumulation
- Cooler nighttime temps around 60-65°F, which help concentrate sugars and flavors
- Low humidity to prevent diseases that can impact taste and texture
- Minimal summer rains, which can dilute flavors and cause cracking
The best tomato taste often comes during seasons with stretches of hot, dry weather punctuated by the occasional shower. Too much heat can diminish flavors, while excessive summer rains lead to a watered-down taste.
A slight drought combined with consistently warm, sunny days creates the perfect storm for extraordinarily flavorful tomatoes brimming with intense, concentrated essence.
The Bottomline
Growing tomatoes is a rewarding and flavorful journey. We’d love to hear about your experiences – which tomato varieties have been your favorites, and what tips or tricks have you found for growing incredibly delicious tomatoes? Share your stories in the comments below!
No matter which varieties you choose to grow, one thing is certain: there’s nothing quite like the taste of a fresh, sun-ripened tomato picked straight from your own garden. Happy growing, and enjoy the incredible flavors that homegrown tomatoes have to offer!
