7 Unusual Tomato Varieties For A Vibrant Garden
Elevate your harvest with heirloom gems that surprise every palate and plate.
7 Unusual Tomato Varieties to Enrich Your Garden
Most gardeners are familiar with the classic red tomato, but the world of tomatoes is far richer and more vibrant than many realize. Whether youâre a culinary enthusiast, an adventurous gardener, or someone seeking a showstopping centerpiece for salads and summer dishes, exploring unusual tomatoes can inject drama, color, and exciting flavors into your repertoire. This article showcases seven remarkable tomato varieties, each selected for its striking appearance and unique taste profile.
Why Grow Unusual Tomatoes?
Traditional plant breedingânot genetic modificationâhas produced a bounty of tomatoes unlike any seen in the grocery aisle. These standout varieties are the result of meticulous cross-breeding for color, flavor, form, and resilience. Just as specific breeds of dogs were selected for unique characteristics, these tomato varieties have been cultivated for their extraordinary traits. Growing unusual tomatoes offers several benefits:
- Unmatched diversity: From deep purples to vibrant yellows, tomatoes come in a wide range of colors and shapes.
- Unique flavor profiles: Many rare varieties feature complex flavors that set them apart from standard red tomatoes.
- Garden and table appeal: Their striking visual appeal enhances both your garden beds and culinary creations.
- Conversation starters: These varieties are perfect for gardeners who like to share something truly special at potlucks, farmers markets, or with friends.
7 Unusual Tomatoes to Wow in Your Garden
Below, youâll find detailed profiles of seven exceptional tomato varieties, each with its own unique charm.
1. Green Zebra
Green Zebra tomatoes are instantly recognizable by their lime green skin streaked with dark green or golden stripes. Inside, the flesh is tangy, juicy, and remains green at full ripeness, making them an eye-catching addition to salads and salsas.
- Color: Bright green with yellow or dark green stripes
- Flavor: Tart, tangy, and slightly sweetâexcellent for adding flavor contrast
- Use: Perfect for salads, slicing, and unique sauces where a pop of color and zing is welcome
- Type: Indeterminate (continues to produce throughout the season)
Many gardeners report that ‘Green Zebra’ tomatoes are among the first to be picked out of colorful displays at markets, thanks to their unique looks and bold taste.
2. Artisan Tiger Stripes
The Artisan Tiger Stripes series is a modern marvel for those who love cherry tomatoes but want something extra special. These elongated, tear-dropped fruits are streaked with a mix of vivid colorsâred with yellow, orange with gold, and green with blush pink. Each plant produces a medley of unique fruits, making every harvest a surprise.
- Shape: Elongated, tear-drop, or oval shaped
- Color Variation: Red/yellow, orange/gold, and green/pink blends, often with striping or mottling
- Flavor: Intensely sweet and fruity, designed for both appearance and taste
- Attributes: Crack-resistant skins and vigorous growth, ideal for gardeners who want high yields of eye-catching, flavorful fruit
What others are reading
âArtisan Tiger Stripesâ blend combines the heirloom look with the robustness of modern hybrids, offering both beauty and reliability in the garden.
3. Black Krim
Black Krim is an heirloom tomato famous for its deep, dusky purple-red skin and green shoulders. Its richly nuanced flavor profileâa balance of earthy, smoky, and sweetâhas earned it a cult following among tomato aficionados.
- Color: Dark red to near-black with green or brownish shoulders
- Flavor: Rich, smoky, and slightly salty
- Origin: Named for the Crimean Peninsula in the Black Sea
- Use: Fantastic in fresh slices, sandwiches, or caprese salads, where its striking color and flavor can shine
‘Black Krim’s’ unique coloring is due to its high levels of anthocyanins, which may also offer potential health benefits. Gardeners often regard it as one of the most flavorful slicing tomatoes available.
4. Sun Gold
Sun Gold tomatoes are well known for their sweet, juicy, tangerine-colored fruit. Though not as rare as some entries on this list, their flavor and color make them a standout for any gardener looking to try something beyond the standard red cherry tomato.
- Color: Brilliant orange or tangerine
- Flavor: Considered one of the sweetest cherry tomatoes available, with bursting juiciness and low acidity
- Plant Habit: Highly vigorous, indeterminate vines that can reach up to 6 feet or longer
- Attributes: Resistant to diseases such as fusarium wilt and tobacco mosaic virus, making it a hardy choice
- Tips: Best picked slightly underripe to avoid splitting; allow them to finish ripening on the counter
âSun Goldâ is particularly beloved by children and anyone with a sweet tooth, making it a popular âgarden snack.â
5. Reisetomate (Traveler’s Tomato)
Among the most visually unusual tomatoes, Reisetomate (the “Travelerâs Tomato”) looks like a cluster of small, fused tomatoes. The bulbous lobes can be easily pulled apart one by one, making it a natural, portable snack. Its strange apperance is reminiscent of a tomato version of pull-apart bread.
- Appearance: Deeply lobed, segmented and bumpy, with irregular, connected bulges
- Function: Designed for easy, segment-by-segment snacking, especially suitable for travelers or outdoor activities
- Flavor: More tangy and acidic than sweet, and noted more for its quirky appearance than culinary excellence
- Type: Indeterminate; plant can be quite prolific
The Reisetomate is believed to have originated in Central America and was carried by travelers, who would pull off lobes as a convenient snack on the go.
6. Blue Beauty
Blue Beauty tomatoes are a striking choice for anyone who wants to grow a truly novel fruit. These tomatoes feature deep blue-black shoulders (thanks to high concentrations of anthocyanins, the antioxidant-rich pigments) that fade to rosy red or yellow at the bottom.
- Color: Blue-black shoulders, transitioning into reddish-pink or yellowish bottoms
- Flavor: Mildly sweet, with a hint of earthy undertone from anthocyanins
- Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, which may offer unique health boosts
- Use: Adds dramatic color to salads, slices, and gourmet preparations
While less common than other colored tomatoes, ‘Blue Beauty’ is sought after by growers interested in both health and visual intrigue.
7. Garden Peach
Garden Peach is a tomato variety named for its fruitâs resemblance to small peachesârounded, fuzzy-skinned, and colored a delicate blush-yellow with a pinkish tinge. Unlike the typical glossy tomato, Garden Peach fruits are covered in a soft, edible fuzz.
- Color/Texture: Pale yellow with pink blush; soft, fuzzy skin
- Flavor: Refreshing, sweet-tart, and subtly floral
- Use: Beautiful as a garnish; adds lovely color and texture to salads or eaten raw like a fruit
- Benefits: Also known for excellent keeping quality after harvest
This tomato is popular with those seeking old-fashioned tomato flavors in a charming, novel package.
Traditional Breeding vs. Genetic Modification
Many gardeners are concerned about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), but most of the varieties listed here are bred by traditional techniques, not genetic engineering.
- Traditional breeding: Involves selecting and cross-pollinating plants to enhance desirable traits, much like breeding animals. No genes from unrelated species are introduced.
- GMO breeding: Involves inserting genes from other species, often in a lab environment.
All varieties highlighted here are the product of generations of gardeners and breeders selecting for flavor, color, resilience, and novelty.
Bonus Tomato Tips for Gardeners
- Space wisely: Many of these varieties are indeterminate, meaning they’ll keep growing and need room for staking or cages.
- Harvest early: Some unusual varieties are prone to cracking if left too long on the vineâpick just as colors reach their peak, and allow them to ripen fully indoors for optimal flavor.
- Experiment with recipes: These tomatoes transform salads, salsas, and sandwiches into edible art. Mix varieties for extra color and flavor.
Table: Quick Comparison of Featured Unusual Tomatoes
| Variety | Main Color(s) | Flavor Profile | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Zebra | Green with yellow/dark stripes | Tart, tangy, slightly sweet | Salads, sandwiches |
| Artisan Tiger Stripes | Multi-color striped | Sweet, fruity | Snacking, salads |
| Black Krim | Dark red/brown, green shoulders | Smoky, salty, rich | Slicing, gourmet recipes |
| Sun Gold | Bright orange/tangerine | Very sweet, juicy | Fresh eating, snacks |
| Reisetomate | Red, deeply lobed | Tangy, acidic | Travel/snacking |
| Blue Beauty | Blue-black/rosy red | Mildly sweet, earthy | Salads, color accent |
| Garden Peach | Yellow, pink blush | Sweet-tart, floral | Fresh eating, garnish |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are these unusual tomatoes more difficult to grow than regular tomatoes?
Most unusual tomato varieties grow similarly to standard tomatoesâneeding full sun, regular watering, and support for indeterminate types. Some like âSun Goldâ and âArtisan Tiger Stripesâ are bred for vigor and disease resistance, making them even easier than some heirlooms.
Q: Do unusual tomatoes taste different from common red tomatoes?
Absolutely. Many of these varieties are prized for distinctive flavorsâfrom the tangy bite of âGreen Zebraâ to the rich, smoky notes of âBlack Krimâ or the extra sweetness of âSun Gold.â Taste is a major reason gardeners seek them out.
Q: Where can I find seeds for these unique varieties?
Seed catalogs, specialty nurseries, and online retailers are the best sources. Look for reputable suppliers that include information about plant growth, harvest times, and disease resistance.
Q: Can I save seeds from these tomatoes for future planting?
Yes, but be aware: hybrids may not breed true (offspring may differ from the parent), while open-pollinated heirlooms like âBlack Krimâ will reliably produce similar offspring. Saving seeds involves fermenting them to remove the gel and drying thoroughly before storing.
Q: Which variety is best for container gardening?
Cherry types like âSun Goldâ and smaller-fruited varieties can do well in large containers, provided they receive adequate water, nutrients, and support. Indeterminate types grow tall and will need strong staking or cages.
Final Thoughts
Unusual tomatoes offer a bounty of flavors, forms, and colors that transform both your garden and kitchen. Whether you want to surprise dinner guests with striped âTigerâ tomatoes, jazz up a salad with âGreen Zebra,â or pack a snackable âReisetomateâ for your next hike, these varieties ensure youâre never bored at harvest time. With careful selection and a little gardening know-how, your patch can yield a rainbow of extraordinary and edible delights.
References
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