The 8 Best Tasting Tomatoes to Grow at Home
Inside: For the most flavorful tomatoes to grow, try varieties like Black Krim, Brandy Boy, Sungold, and Cherokee Purple. Other crowd-pleasing favorites include Pink Brandywine, San Marzano, and Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes.
I’ve grown tomatoes for years, and I’m always on the hunt for the most flavorful varieties. Some tomatoes look great but taste bland. Others are packed with flavor that keeps you coming back for more. I’ve tried countless types, from heirlooms to hybrids. In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the most delicious tomatoes to grow when vegetable gardening.
These are not the most productive or easiest to care for. We’re just focusing on flavor here, nothing else!
My Personal Tomato Favorites
I’ve grown many tomatoes over time and found some really tasty ones. These tomatoes look great and taste amazing. Here are my favorites, which I think you’ll love, too!
Black Krim – Rich and Smoky
Black Krim is a standout heirloom variety that hails from the Isle of Krim in the Black Sea. These tomatoes have a striking appearance with their dark, almost black skin and deep red flesh. But it’s the flavor that really sets them apart. They’re perfect for adding depth to sandwiches, salads, or just eating straight off the vine.
Brandy Boy – The Perfect Slicer
If you’re looking for a tomato that’s perfect for slicing, look no further than Brandy Boy. This hybrid variety combines the best qualities of Brandywine and Better Boy tomatoes. Brandy Boys has a classic tomato flavor that’s well-balanced and slightly sweet. They’re juicy, meaty, and have a texture that holds well when sliced. These tomatoes are my favorite for making the perfect BLT or topping a juicy burger.
Sungold – Candy-Sweet Cherry Tomatoes
Sungold cherry tomatoes are like little bursts of sunshine in your mouth. These golden-orange beauties are incredibly sweet and have a delicious, almost tropical flavor. They do crack quite a bit, which means you don’t find them much in stores. I love snacking on Sungolds straight from the garden or tossing them into salads for a pop of sweetness.
Cherokee Purple – Complex, Wine-like Flavor
Cherokee Purple is an heirloom variety that has stolen my heart with its unique, complex flavor. These tomatoes have a deep purple hue with green shoulders, making them a stunning addition to any plate. But it’s the taste that really sets them apart. Cherokee Purples have a rich, almost wine-like flavor with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. They’re meaty and have a silky texture that melts in your mouth.
Crowd-Pleasing Favorites
While I have my own top picks, some tomato types are loved by almost everyone who grows them. These popular varieties taste amazing and grow well in most gardens. Let’s look at some tomatoes gardeners can’t stop talking about!
Pink Brandywine – The Heirloom Classic
Pink Brandywine is a true heirloom classic that has been cherished by generations of tomato growers. These large, beefsteak-type tomatoes have a lovely pink hue and a flavor that’s hard to beat. Pink Brandywines are known for their perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, with a complex, old-fashioned tomato taste. They’re meaty, juicy, and have a tender texture that makes them perfect for slicing and enjoying on sandwiches or as a simple tomato salad.
San Marzano – Ideal for Sauces
If you’re a fan of homemade tomato sauces, then San Marzano tomatoes are your dream come true. These Italian plum tomatoes are prized for their rich, sweet flavor and low seed count. San Marzanos have a meaty flesh that breaks down beautifully when cooked, creating the most luscious and flavorful sauces. They’re also great for canning, so you can enjoy the taste of summer all year round. Whether you’re making a classic marinara, a hearty tomato soup, or a delectable pizza sauce, San Marzanos are the way to go.
Sweet 100 – Prolific and Delicious
If you want an abundance of sweet, pop-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes, look no further than Sweet 100. These little red gems are incredibly prolific, producing long trusses loaded with tomatoes all season long. Sweet 100s have a delightfully sweet flavor that’s hard to resist. They’re perfect for snacking straight off the vine, tossing into salads, or adding to pasta dishes for a burst of freshness. Kids and adults alike can’t seem to get enough of these addictive little tomatoes. Plus, they’re disease-resistant and easy to grow.
Tips for Growing Flavorful Tomatoes
Now that you know some of the most flavorful tomato varieties, let’s talk about how to grow them to their full potential. Growing tomatoes that burst with flavor isn’t rocket science, but there are a few key things to remember. Here are my top tips for growing the most delicious tomatoes in your garden!
Give Them Plenty of Sun
Tomatoes are sun-worshippers, plain and simple. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive and develop their best flavor. When planting your tomatoes, choose a spot in your garden with plenty of sunshine throughout the day. Avoid placing them in shaded areas or where they’ll be competing with other plants for light. The more sun your tomatoes get, the sweeter and more flavorful they’ll be!
Don’t Overwater – It Dilutes Flavor
While tomatoes need consistent moisture to grow, overwatering can actually dilute their flavor. Tomatoes that sit in waterlogged soil or receive too much water will produce fruits that taste watery and bland. Instead, aim to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water your tomatoes deeply and less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. This will encourage your tomatoes to develop a more concentrated, intense flavor.
Feed Them Well for Nutrition
Tomatoes are heavy feeders and require proper nutrition to produce the best-tasting fruits. Before planting, amend your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to give your tomatoes a nutrient-rich foundation. Throughout the growing season, fertilize your tomatoes regularly with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Look for fertilizers specifically formulated for tomatoes, as they contain the optimal ratio of nutrients. Well-nourished tomatoes will reward you with better growth, higher yields, and, of course, incredible flavor!
Let Them Ripen Fully on the Vine
One of the biggest mistakes people make when growing tomatoes is picking them too early. For the best flavor, let your tomatoes ripen fully on the vine. As tomatoes ripen, they develop a deeper color and a more complex, sweeter taste. Resist the temptation to pluck them off the vine when they show color. Instead, wait until they’ve reached their full color and have a slight give when gently squeezed. Trust me, the wait is worth it! Vine-ripened tomatoes have an unbeatable flavor that store-bought tomatoes can’t match.
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Tomato FAQs
This is a tough one because flavor is subjective, and everyone has their own preferences. However, in my experience, heirloom tomatoes tend to have the most complex and interesting flavors. Varieties like Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, and Brandywine are known for their rich, smoky, and almost wine-like tastes. They have a depth of flavor that many modern hybrids lack. That being said, there are also some incredibly flavorful hybrid tomatoes out there, like Sungold and Brandy Boy. Ultimately, the most flavorful tomato is the one that makes your taste buds sing! No matter what your favorite is, there are so many delicious things to make with tomatoes.
If you’re after sweet tomatoes, there are a few things you can do. First, choose varieties that are known for their sweetness, like Sungold, Sweet 100, or Yellow Pear. These tomatoes have a higher sugar content and a delicious candy-like flavor. Second, make sure your tomatoes get plenty of sunlight. The more sun they receive, the sweeter they’ll become. Third, avoid overwatering, as too much water can dilute the sugars in the fruit. Finally, let your tomatoes ripen fully on the vine before harvesting. The longer they stay on the plant, the more time they have to develop their natural sweetness.
Heirloom tomatoes are often prized for their superior flavor compared to modern hybrids. There are a few reasons for this. First, heirlooms have been bred for flavor rather than uniformity or shelf life. They’re the result of generations of seed saving and selection by gardeners who prioritized taste above all else. Second, heirlooms tend to have a more diverse genetic makeup, which contributes to their complex flavors. They haven’t been bred to conform to a specific standard, so they retain a wider range of flavor compounds. Finally, many heirlooms have thinner skins and softer flesh, which allows their flavors to shine through more intensely. While not all heirlooms are necessarily more flavorful than hybrids, they tend to have a more old-fashioned, “tomato-y” taste that many people find irresistible.
Growing tasty tomatoes is fun for anyone who likes gardening or good food. Pick the right types, give them lots of sun, and let them get fully ripe. You’ll end up with super flavorful tomatoes. Some great choices are Black Krim (smoky taste), Sungold (sweet), and Brandywine (classic flavor). There’s a perfect tomato for everyone.
By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.