Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
One of the greatest joys of summer is when juicy, ripe tomatoes finally start to pop up in backyard gardens and farmers markets across the country. Were talking baskets upon baskets full of different types of tomatoes!
Sure, you can find tomatoes in supermarkets year-round, but the summer fruit (yes, its a fruit!) comes in even more variety during the warm weather season. There are big beefsteak tomatoes, colorful misshapen heirlooms, and mini cherry tomatoes for a burst of sweet flavor. And while you cant go wrong with popping a few grape tomatoes in your mouth during the peak of summer, all of these varieties can be put to use in our favorite tomato recipes, too. So whether youre looking to grow your own tomatoes or you simply want to stack some beautiful slicers between fresh mozzarella and basil in a caprese salad, youll want to learn a bit more about different types of tomatoes.
Here are the most popular types of tomatoes to try. Most can be found at any ol grocery store, but there are few, harder-to-find varieties worth hunting for at your local farmers market once tomato season hits. But before you dive in, just remember that the best way to store any of the tomatoes on the list ahead is to leave them out at room temperature where they can ripen naturally.
Cherry tomatoes (or as we like to call them “natures candy”) are sweet enough to snack on straight from the vine! In fact, many people opt for this type of tomato to grow in their own backyard garden. They thrive in the summer, but cherry tomatoes can also be found year-round in most supermarkets. But you can also halve them for use in salads, skewer them whole onto kebabs for grilling, or slow roast them on a sheet pan for extra sweetness in your favorite pasta sauce. Look for cherry tomatoes that have tight skins and are bright in color: red, yellow, or even orange.
Beefsteak tomatoes are extra large (or should we say beefy?) and often described as having a meaty, juicy texture thats mild in flavor. Thats what makes them so great when cut into thick slices for a simple tomato sandwich or as a topping on burgers. Their high-water content means that these tomatoes are best eaten fresh, but you can also chop and cook them down into a sauce or blending into salsa. Summer is the ideal time to find good beefsteak tomatoes that are juicy and slightly sweet—especially since other times of the year theyre often mealy and bland. Look for ones with shiny skins that are firm but slightly soft without feeling mushy.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
You dont have to wait for a tomato to ripen to eat it! Just look at these gorgeous green (or unripe) tomatoes for example. Theyre characterized by their bright green color, firm texture, tart flavor which sets them apart from the sweeter red tomatoes found on this list. Though sometimes green tomatoes are purposely picked early, youll find that green tomatoes are more often available in late summer when the tomatoes simply didnt get a chance to ripen before the season comes to an end. Southern fried green tomatoes are the most popular use. Their firm texture means they can stand up well to frying, but it also makes them ideal for pickling or turning into a crunchy relish.
Looking to make your own fresh tomato sauce? Plum tomatoes are the variety for you! Also known as Roma, these oval-shaped tomatoes are best known for their meaty texture and tangy flavor. They also have fewer seeds and thinner skins than most tomatoes which makes them a great candidate for slicing and using on sandwiches, roasting, or turning into tomato sauce. If you want to peel them before cooking, youll have to prepare a pot of boiling water and an ice bath. Cut a small “X” on the bottom of the plum tomatoes, then gently boil for about 30 seconds, or until the skin starts to split. Transfer to a bowl filled with water and ice, then peel back the skins and theyre ready. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
These grocery store staples are oblong, grape-shaped tomatoes—hence their name! They are smaller than cherry tomatoes and tend to also be denser and meatier texturally. Their small size makes them great for snacking or adding to a quick and easy pasta salad.
These beauties come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but thats not all thats spectacular about them. As their name suggests, heirloom tomatoes are a variety thats been in cultivation for years—as in 50 to 100 years! Theyre only available during the summer, when tomatoes are meant to be in season, as heirlooms are grown through natural pollination. Theyre pricier and more fragile than their hybrid counterparts—the smooth-skinned, human-cultivated tomatoes found in supermarkets—but are prized for their taste.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Picture a standard, run of the mill grocery store tomato—thats actually a globe tomato, a round medium-sized tomato known for its thick skin, which makes it resilient and hearty. Mild in flavor, globe tomatoes are versatile and work well sliced fresh in a sandwich, finely chopped for salsa or cooked down into a sauce.
Tomatoes sold on the vine are grown in greenhouses and keeping them attached prolongs their shelf-life. Their quality of flavor is inconsistent and even at their best, vine-ripened tomatoes tend to be mild in flavor. They can be sliced for sandwiches and burger, chopped and added to salad, or cooked down into a sauce.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
San Marzano tomatoes are a type of plum tomato thats prized for its sweet flavor and meaty flesh. Compared to your average plum tomatoes, theyre longer and thinner. Theyre also low in acid making them a great choice for tomato sauces like homemade marinara. San Marzano tomatoes may be named for a region in Italy, but today, theyre grown outside of Italy, too—even in the United States! If you cant find them fresh in grocery stores, you can typically find them canned.
Roma and plum tomatoes are two of the most popular tomato varieties. Their meaty texture and robust flavor make them ideal for sauces, stews, canned products, and more But are Roma tomatoes and plum tomatoes really the same thing? Let’s find out
What are Plum Tomatoes?
Plum tomatoes are a category of tomatoes that have been bred specifically for processing purposes like canning, juicing, and making paste and sauce They are called “plum” tomatoes because of their oval or plum-like shape.
Some common varieties of plum tomatoes include:
- Roma – The most popular plum tomato, Roma tomatoes are egg or pear-shaped with few seeds.
- San Marzano – A long, tapered plum tomato popular in Italian cuisine.
- Amish Paste – Acorn-shaped, deep red plum tomatoes originating from Pennsylvania.
- Grape Tomatoes – Tiny, grape-sized oval tomatoes.
Overall, plum tomatoes are known for:
- Low moisture content – Leading to a thicker, richer sauce or paste.
- Meaty flesh – With few seeds and juicy pulp.
- Mild sweet flavor – Well-balanced with less acidity than other tomatoes.
- Oval or plum shape – Distinguishing visual characteristic.
What are Roma Tomatoes?
Roma tomatoes, also known as Roma VF or Italian tomatoes, are a specific variety of plum tomato. They are the most widely available and recognizable plum tomato.
Some key features of Roma tomatoes:
- Egg or pear shape – Oval with a pointed tip.
- Small to medium size – Usually around 3 inches long.
- Dense flesh – Thick walls with few seeds and pulp.
- Determinate vines – Bushy plants versus trailing vines.
- Excellent for sauces – Low moisture content.
- Wide availability – Grow well and ship better than other varieties.
What’s the Difference Between Plum and Roma Tomatoes?
While Roma tomatoes are a type of plum tomato, there are some differences between Roma tomatoes and other plum tomato varieties:
- Shape – Romas are oval while other plum tomatoes can be more rounded.
- Size – Romas are typically smaller, around 3 inches long.
- Growth habit – Romas are determinate while some plum tomatoes are indeterminate.
- Flavor – Romas tend to be more mild while some plum tomatoes have a richer, sweeter flavor.
- Uses – Romas are preferred for sauces while some plum tomatoes like San Marzano work better for hand-crushed dishes.
- Availability – Roma tomatoes are the most widely available plum-type tomato.
Can You Substitute Roma Tomatoes for Other Plum Tomatoes?
Because Roma tomatoes are a type of plum tomato, you can generally substitute them for other plum tomato varieties in recipes. For example:
-
Substitute Roma tomatoes for San Marzano in slow-cooked Italian dishes.
-
Use Roma instead of Amish Paste tomatoes when making tomato sauce or canned tomatoes.
-
Replace another plum variety with Roma tomatoes when making salsa or tomato paste.
However, since Roma tomatoes tend to be smaller and have a milder flavor than some other plum tomatoes, keep in mind:
-
You may need more Roma tomatoes by volume to equal another plum variety.
-
The flavor profile may be slightly different with Romas in certain dishes.
So while you can sub Roma for other plum tomatoes, you may need to tweak the quantity or seasonings in the recipe to account for their smaller size and milder flavor. When in doubt, it’s best to use the exact plum tomato variety called for in the recipe.
How to Choose Good Roma or Plum Tomatoes
To end up with the best flavor and texture when cooking with Roma or other plum tomatoes, choose ones that are:
-
Fully ripe – Choose tomatoes that are completely red with no green patches.
-
Plump and firm – Avoid tomatoes that are shriveled or mushy.
-
Unbruised – Select tomatoes free of soft spots or bruises.
-
Heavy for their size – Heavier tomatoes tend to be juicier.
-
Fresh smelling – Ripe tomatoes should smell sweet and tomato-ey, not musty.
Getting the most flavorful plum tomatoes will ensure your sauces, salsas, and other dishes taste their absolute best.
How to Store Plum Tomatoes
To maximize freshness and shelf life of plum tomatoes:
-
Do not refrigerate unripe tomatoes – Keep them at room temp until fully ripe.
-
Once ripe, store in the fridge stem-side up. The cold helps slow ripening and prevent overripening.
-
Or, leave on the counter and plan to use within a couple days.
-
Store cut plum tomatoes tightly wrapped in the fridge and use within 3-4 days.
Proper storage keeps plum tomatoes fresh as long as possible once ripe so none of that sweet, robust flavor goes to waste.
Tips for Cooking with Roma or Plum Tomatoes
To highlight the best qualities of Roma and other plum tomato varieties in your cooking:
-
For richer flavor, roast or slow cook plum tomatoes to concentrate their flavors.
-
To thicken sauces, simmer plum tomatoes with their skins and seeds since they have less moisture.
-
Use hand-crushed plum tomatoes like San Marzano for an authentic chunky texture.
-
For canned plum tomatoes, go for fire-roasted or tomatoes packed in their own juice for the best flavor.
-
Add complementary flavors like garlic, basil, olive oil, or balsamic to balance out the mildness of plum tomatoes.
The Bottom Line
Roma tomatoes are without a doubt the most popular and widely available variety of plum tomato. While Roma tomatoes and other plum tomatoes share a similar oval shape, meaty flesh, mild sweet flavor, and low moisture content perfect for processing, Roma does have some subtle differences that distinguish it from the broader plum tomato category. But at the end of the day, Roma tomatoes can be substitutes for other plum tomato varieties, especially when sauces and salsas call for that thick, rich tomato flavor.
Purple or Black Tomato
Black and purple tomatoes may not be as common as red, green, and yellow varieties, but these dark-hued varieties have a certain earthy richness that is downright delicious. There are several heirloom varieties that produce purple or black tomatoes, one being the popular Cherokee Purple, a large round tomato that makes a great slicer for sandwiches. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Think of the cocktail tomato as a slightly larger cherry tomato. In fact, you can use cocktail tomatoes in any recipes that call for cherry tomatoes! You may be familiar with a particular type of cocktail tomato called the Campari tomato. These golf ball-sized fruits are so sweet they hardly need any preparation. You can just halve them and toss them right into a salad, but this variety also takes heat well. Try roasting them with parmesan and herbs or using them in delicate sauces.
Tomatoes: Round vs Roma — What’s the Difference?
FAQ
What is the difference between plum tomatoes and Roma tomatoes?
Plum tomatoes, also known as Roma tomatoes, are an oval-shaped tomato variety with a firm texture and a rich, tangy flavor. They are commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisines and are often used in sauces, soups, and stews.
Can Roma tomatoes be substituted for plum tomatoes?
Plum tomatoes (also known as roma tomatoes) are somewhat lacking in flavors, but they do make up for it with texture. Generally, you can substitute plum tomatoes with regular tomatoes, canned tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes.
What is another name for Roma tomatoes?
Roma tomatoes are also commonly known as plum tomatoes or Italian tomatoes.
Are Roma the same as plum?
In short, the Roma tomato is one of the famous varieties that falls under the plum tomato type. It is also called as Italian plum tomato.