Tomatoes are very flavorful and can have many health benefits. However, it is their bright colors that always catches the eye. 5 Colorful Types of Tomatoes
It is no secret that I love tomatoes. The more vibrant the color, the more I LOVE to eat them!
There are as many types of tomatoes as there are granules in soil. Aside from eating them for their obvious health benefits (such as preventing some cancers and reducing inflammation), tomatoes are also sought after for their outer beauty.
Everyone knows that we eat with our eyes first and foremost. What makes tomatoes very appealing, aesthetically, are the colors that pop-out at you when you first lay your eyes on them.
I decided to list 5 of the most colorful types of tomatoes that are a feast, not only for the mouth, but to the eyes as well.
Five Colorful Types of Tomatoes
5. Sun Gold Cherry Tomato
Yes, gold is indeed a color! And it can be seen all over this tomato. Of all the tomatoes on this list, the Sun Gold Cherry tomato is the most popular tomato in kitchens all over. Farmers and tomato enthusiasts alike are starting to grow this tomato on their land. These tomatoes grow in large clusters and can grow anywhere, including very hot zones. This qualities make them completely irresistible to growers of all kinds. It is giving the tomato a cult-like status. They also contain high levels of carotene as evidenced by their unique orange color, which is good for eye-sight.
Their bright orange-gold color can be deceiving. A friend’s teen daughter ate them for the longest time before realizing that these are actually tomatoes. Also, they are often affectionately referred to as “Apricot-Orange Bon-Bons” because of their sweetness.
The tomato is more popular in farmers market, but, rarely found in supermarkets. That is because they ripen quickly and the skin can crack easily, making it harder to transport and store in supermarkets.
I would personally like to thank the Japanese tomato breeder for “making” this breed of tomatoes. He carefully selected genes from 2 varieties which were colorful, disease resistant and had a lot of sweetness.
Once you have had Sun Gold Salsa, you will never go back to regular salsa.
4. Black Cherry Tomato
Of all the tomatoes on this list, the black cherry tomato is the hardest to find locally. They are hard to grow, have a single growing season and require ample climbing space for their vines. Additionally, since they are not well known, they don’t have a huge market demand. Often, they have been mistaken for grapes or plums.
All that said, when it comes to taste, there is none other with such a dynamic flavor. Many shish-kebabs get paired with this tomato because of how it complements the flavor of the meat. It is the best tomato for grilling because the heat activates its natural sugars and provides a unique sweetness.
If you have a chicken dish or a tofu dish, use this tomato because it has a very earthly, natural sweet taste.
3. Purple Russian Tomato
Of all the types of tomatoes, this one is the one that looks like a normal, everyday tomato.
The name of this type of tomato actually sounds like a hard alcoholic drink, doesn’t it? It conjures up images of huge libbey glasses with purple Vodka!!
“Za Vas!!”
Well, it is not a drink……
Nonetheless, it is still a very delectable purple tomato. In 1980, Irma Henkel sent seeds of this tomato to her nephew in the United States. The rest became sweet purple tomato history.
This tomato actually has no blemishes and has a flavor that is out of this world. There is a sweetness mixed with a little tanginess and a slight nutty taste at the end.
The Purple Russian tomato is slowly becoming popular in Salads, Soups and Canning. It is actually very good for the heart, so, we can happily cheer “Na Zdorovie!”
2. Yellow Pear Tomato
Just look at THAT shiny yellow color!! It is, hands down, the MOST mesmerizing color on this list!
That yellow color is unique to this tomato and there is none other with this shade.
The Yellow Pear Tomato was first grown in Europe in the early 1700s. However, the earliest recorded growing of this fruit was around 1805. From Europe, it slowly found its way to USA and Canada thanks to the Hudson’s Bay Company. They were fur traders by nature, but, also had a farm. On this farm, they grew flowers, plants and fruits (are you singing E-I-E-I-O after that sentence?).
It was not until 1863 that they started becoming a household staple. Joseph Ellis started selling many different varieties of tomato seeds in Utah and Colorado. Among them was this breathtaking yellow pear tomato.
It is so irresistible that the Smithsonian Institute has featured it in the Heirloom Garden that encompasses National Museum of American History. This tomato has become a quintessential part of Americana.
1. Ananas Noire (Black Pineapple)
I am declaring this tomato to be THE official Tomato of the 1960s (even though it didn’t exist back then). When the tomato is sliced, your eyes are rewarded with a beautiful Tye-Dye of rainbow colors.
How very Groovy!
You can see why this is the top of list in colorful types of tomatoes.
The skin has shades of green, yellow, pink and orange. The bursts of color streaks will definitely add a level of intrigue to your salad. At first, the flavor starts out sweet but ends with just the right amount of tang, leaving you craving for more!
It is the youngest breed of tomatoes on this list. In 2005, Pascal Moreau perfected this breed. You see, he is a horticulturist who was growing pineapples at a farm in Belgium. This tomato appeared in a patch where he was growing pineapples. After experimenting with the pineapple and tomato, he produced a stabilized version and called it, “Ananas Noire”. This is French for “Black Pineapple”.
This tomato is perhaps the only flavor of tomato that comes with a natural smoky flavor and hints of citrus. You can definitely taste the sweetness of pineapple when you bite into it. The only drawback is that it has a high density of acidity. However, it goes great with salads or you can make wonderful pasta sauces with it.
Because of its wonderful medley of colors, this tomato has easily made it to number 1 on our list. It is the most Far Out Tomato!
Want to learn more about tomatoes? Check out my history of tomatoes
So, what’s your 5 favorite types of tomatoes
Picture Credits:
5) Sungold Cherry Tomato – Ezraorganics.com (website offline)
4) Black Cherry Tomato – Loghouseplants.com
3) Purple Russian Tomato – Rareseeds.com
2) Yellow Pear Tomato – Wikimedia.com
1) Ananas Noire Tomato – Tomaten-atlas.de
Tracey Hagan says
February 18, 2014 at 12:53 AMMy favorites didn’t make your list, but I love green zebra tomatoes! They were the star of my garden last summer!
Healing Tomato says
February 18, 2014 at 2:46 PMNice!!! I love the zebra tomatoes!!!! If you harvest them this season, send me pics!!
Healing Tomato says
November 18, 2013 at 12:12 PMThanks, I will look into it.