Are Heirloom Tomatoes Worth the Hype?

Heirloom tomatoes were the norm prior to the 20^th century. For centuries most families in our current first world countries grew their own vegetables and fruit, collecting seed and replanting it season after season. This meant that the tomatoes grown in different areas, and on individual plots, were often distinctly different, as the seed was passed down through the generations. Some of this so-called garden heirloom seed is still available today – and can be bought by gardeners on other continents (let alone different areas) via the Internet.

They are currently the rage in the USA and appear to be fast gaining popularity in other parts of the world, including Australia.

But are heirloom tomatoes all they are made out to be?

Different from Supermarket Tomatoes

Supermarket tomatoes were developed for commercial farmers during the mid 20^th century. Generally they were bred so that the skin would be thicker (which of course made it tougher) and they would ripen more slowly than the varieties gardeners had been producing up until then. This approach was largely spurred by needs for a longer shelf life, and profits.

(Not to mention the development of “perfect” tomatoes produced by genetically modifying the plants and treating seeds.)

Of course the same sorts of seeds used by commercial farmers were also made available commercially, to home gardeners.

But those who valued their heirlooms, continued to grow them because they maintained they were healthier, tastier and generally “better”.

With the burgeoning popularity worldwide of farmers’ markets, their popularity continues to grow and many people choose to buy heirloom (and other organically home grown) tomatoes at these markets (or from specialist outlets), rather than those that are bagged and refrigerated and sold off the supermarket shelves.

Now it appears that in some parts of the world, commercial tomato farmers have started exploiting the demand for heirlooms. This is one of the reasons for the current ongoing debate whether they are in fact better than all the other types of tomato.

Heirloom Tomatoes are not all Created Equal

“Like relatives,” says one disbeliever, not all tomatoes are worth eating. As he says, some heirlooms are “fantastic”, while others are absolutely “horrible”.

And this sentiment is backed by science.

In the laboratories of Florida University, Professor Harry Klee has been doing some fascinating clinical tests to compare the taste of heirloom versus supermarket tomatoes. In several instances he has found that commercially grown tomatoes were a lot tastier than some of the heirlooms – particularly cherry varieties.

His take on the debate is that an heirloom label doesn’t necessarily mean “good”.

Then there’s the refreshing approach that choosing heirlooms is rather like buying wine. Whilst taste is paramount, you can make a more educated decision when you know more about growing conditions, including soil type and rainfall, as well as when the fruit was picked (ripe or not quite ripe). Price may also be a factor, though it seems that people are generally willing to spend more on heirlooms because they presume them to be superior.

Growing Heirlooms at Home

Now here’s the good news.

If you can’t find heirloom tomatoes for sale in your part of the world, you can grow them at home. Better still, you can experiment with different types and then keep your own “heirlooms” going.

Our book How To Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes will ensure you successfully grow the most delicious heirloom tomatoes.