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Tomato, tomahto – no matter how you say it, the juicy seasonal favorite brings fresh flavor to all kinds of dishes in the summer. Check out the facts below to learn more about different tomato varieties and tomato production in Indiana.
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- Cherry vs. Grape: Cherry tomatoes are perfectly round and very juicy. They have a very sweet, almost candy-like flavor. Grape tomatoes are oblong and less watery with a more savory flavor.
- Heirloom tomatoes are tomatoes that have not been hybridized and are open-pollinated, which allows growers to save their seeds and pass them down from generation to generation.
- Red vs. Orange: The typical red tomato color does not develop when temperatures rise above 86 degrees, but yellow pigment continues to develop, so tomatoes that ripen during hotter weather take on an orange color.
- Tomato varieties such as Beefsteak, Beefmaster, Ponderosa and Oxheart are known for their large fruits.
- Indiana farms grow both fresh market tomatoes (those you buy whole) and processing tomatoes (those you buy canned, juiced or in other products).
- Indiana ranks No. 2 in the nation for tomatoes for processing.
- Red Gold, one of the most well-known tomato processing companies, is headquartered in Elwood.
- Tomatoes are native to South America and were introduced by early explorers to Europe.
- One medium tomato provides 57% of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.
See more: Quick and Easy Tomato Recipes to Enjoy All Summer Long
Sources: Farm Flavor, Indiana Department of Agriculture, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service
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