What Are Heirloom Tomatoes

• We’ve all seen heirloom tomatoes with their distinctive qualities. They have different colours, textures, sizes and flavours.
• The seeds are what makes an heirloom tomato.  They are pollinated naturally by birds, insects or wind, not by genetic modification. They have been passed down for generations – hence the term heirloom.
• Yellow heirlooms are milder than reds and greens have a light zestier bite.  The darker varieties have more savoury qualities than the sweet.
• Heirlooms are tastier and juicier but pricier. They are more challenging to grow, are not disease resistant, have a shorter shelf life and bruise easier meaning they need extra care in transportation and storage. 
• But buyer beware, the term heirloom is not regulated so you may be buying a genetically modified tomato.  Buy only from a trusted source such as a farmers market.