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.