If you’re a tomato-loving gardener, you know how important it is to find the best-tasting cherry tomatoes. These tiny fruits can bring unique flavours to your meals and make any dish pop with freshness. In this article, we’ll explore nine delicious and flavorful varieties you can grow in your home garden. From the luscious Black Cherry to the unique and colourful Green Envy, these heirlooms and hybrids are perfect for harvesting throughout the season.
Growing cherry tomatoes in your backyard can be a rewarding experience. They are not only sweet and juicy but also versatile enough for snacking or adding to salads and other dishes. Whether you prefer a tangy bite or a rainbow of colours in your garden, these varieties will surely satisfy your taste buds and elevate your summer meals. Get ready to discover which cherry tomatoes will thrive in your garden and bring joy to your table!
In this article
Understanding the Brix Rating
When it comes to the best-tasting cherry tomatoes, understanding the Brix rating is essential. The Brix scale measures the sweetness of food, particularly in fruits like tomatoes. This scale tells you how much dissolved sugar is in a liquid solution. For example, if a tomato has a Brix rating of 5 degrees, it means that 5% of the tomato’s content is sugar. The scale goes up to 100, but most cherry tomatoes usually fall in the 5-12 range, which indicates a good level of sweetness.
A higher Brix rating often means a better taste. For comparison, pure maple syrup has a Brix rating of around 68, showing just how sweet it can be. Cherry tomatoes’ higher sugar content enhances their flavour, imparting wonderful qualities like tang, smokiness, and even umami. When choosing cherry tomatoes, looking for those with a higher Brix rating can help you find your garden’s sweetest and most delicious options.
As an avid gardener, I always pay attention to the Brix levels when selecting varieties to grow. Understanding this measurement allows me to choose tomatoes that not only look good but also have the rich, sweet flavour that I value in my fresh eating experiences. By focusing on tomatoes with a higher Brix rating, I ensure that my meals are nutritious and full of taste.
Top 14 Best-Tasting Cherry Tomatoes
Black Cherry
When it comes to best-tasting cherry tomatoes, my all-time favourite is the Black Cherry. I grew these from seed on a whim many years ago, and that experience sealed the deal for me. The flavour is simply delicious and sweet, boasting a Brix rating of 9 °Bx. Black Cherry tomatoes are heirloom varieties known for their rich, complex flavours that are slightly tangy and have a smoky quality that leans toward umami.
Blondkopfchen
Another favourite is the Blondkopfchen, a small heirloom variety originating in Germany. The name translates to “little blonde-headed girl,” and it certainly lives up to that charming image. With its fruity flavour and a lovely touch of citrusy tang, this tomato has a Brix rating of 8, making it a delightful addition to salads or as a snack.
Supersweet 100‘
Supersweet 100 is a super-sized cherry tomato known for its disease-resistant and indeterminate vines that can reach over 12 feet tall. These plants produce loads of bright red and very tasty fruits. While they are the least sweet of the bunch, with a Brix rating of 6 °Bx, they are still perfect and prolific, making them a popular choice for gardeners looking for reliable yields.
Fantastico
Then we have the Fantastico, a slightly elongated grape tomato. This AAS-winning variety is bright red and glossy, with a Brix rating of 12 °Bx. It’s known for its firm texture and crack resistance. It’s produced on bushy, determinate vines that are also high-yielding and resistant to late blight. The Fantastico is perfect for gardeners looking for a reliable, productive tomato that tastes great.
Green Envy
Next on the list is Green Envy, a unique variety that stands out in the garden with its bright green colour when ripe. It has a sweet and fruity flavour with a brix of 8. This tomato offers a juicy and tender texture with a hint of tartness that balances its sweet flavour. Its lower acidity level makes it easy to enjoy in various dishes.
Matt’s Wild Cherry
Matt’s Wild Cherry is another top choice, one of the sweetest currant tomatoes. These large vines produce lots of pungent fruits, so just one plant can yield a significant amount of harvest. With its vibrant flavour and Brix rating of 11.5, it’s a must-have for any cherry tomato lover.
Sun Gold
The Sun Gold variety is a classic favourite among cherry tomato lovers. Its golden-orange fruits are sweet and tangy, with a Brix rating of 8 °Bx. They grow on long trusses and taste best when conditions are slightly dry, making them perfect for snacking and fresh eating.
Sunchocola
For those looking for something a bit newer, Sunchocola is a relatively new hybrid that combines the traits of heirloom tomatoes with a unique flavour profile. They are typically very tender and juicy, boasting a Brix rating of 9. These tomatoes add a delightful twist to any dish.
Violet Jasper
Finally, we have Violet Jasper, a beautiful heirloom variety with striking deep mahogany colours. These tomatoes ripen to a deep red, and the green stripes turn slightly golden as they mature. With complex flavours, hints of sweetness, and acidity, Violet Jasper tomatoes have a Brix rating of 9 °Bx, making them an excellent choice for taste and visual appeal in your garden.
Isis Candy
This pretty cherry tomato features golden fruits streaked with red. With a Brix rating of 8-9, it is known for its delicious and sweet flavour. The high-performing and indeterminate vines yield a bountiful harvest, making it a favourite among gardeners.
Sunpeach
Another excellent option is Sunpeach, which is a pink-fruited relative of Sun Gold. It has super long trusses of slightly oblong fruits, providing an outstanding, well-rounded flavour. They are also crack-resistant, making them perfect for fresh eating or cooking.
Favorita
Then we have Favorita, which produces glossy, deep red fruits with a sugar rating of 8.8. This variety is known to be produced early in the season and can resist diseases like Fusarium wilt and Tobacco Mosaic Virus. This resilience makes it a reliable choice for home gardens.
Sun Sugar
Sun Sugar is another top pick. Its tangerine-orange fruits are considered some of the sweetest and tartest available. This disease-resistant variety stands up to various challenges and produces long trusses of crack-resistant fruits, ensuring a steady supply throughout the season.
Candyland Red
For those who enjoy currant tomatoes, Candyland Red is a must-try. These large, rambling vines produce lots of super firm, tiny, deep red fruits. It is known as one of the sweetest cherry tomatoes, boasting a Brix rating of 12. This variety was also an All-America Selections winner, highlighting its exceptional taste.
The Benefits of Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Growing cherry tomatoes in your garden comes with many lovely benefits. One of the best qualities of cherry tomatoes is their flavour. They are often sweet and juicy, making them a perfect snack right off the vine. With a variety of flavour profiles available, from the tangy taste of Cherokee Purple to the rich sweetness of Brandywine, there is a cherry tomato for everyone.
High Productivity
Another great advantage of growing cherry tomatoes is their productivity. These plants yield a high volume of fruit, often more than larger tomato varieties. With a constant supply throughout the growing season, you’ll never run out of fresh tomatoes to enjoy. Plus, cherry tomatoes are incredibly versatile. You can use them in a wide range of dishes, such as salads, pan sauces, pasta, and even as toppings for slicing into summery sandwiches or grilling for kebabs.
Nutritional Value
Cherry tomatoes also provide excellent nutritional value. They are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease. By adding these vibrant tomatoes to your diet, you’re not only enjoying their taste but also boosting your health.
Gardening Experience
As an avid grower and cook, I find that cherry tomatoes are a delightful addition to my garden. They thrive in various conditions and can even be grown in smaller spaces, making them perfect for urban gardening. The long, fruitful growing season means you can enjoy them for many months. And don’t forget about pickled green tomatoes; they can be a treasured snack in the cold, grey months.
No-Waste Gardening
The best part of growing cherry tomatoes is that you can utilize every part of the plant. If you’re sensitive to the alkaloids found in some nightshade vegetables, you can still enjoy the green tomatoes. By taking care of the plants and using what they produce, you can have a no-waste approach to gardening.
Tips for Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Growing cherry tomatoes can be a rewarding experience for any gardener. To start, it’s essential to amend your planting beds. Begin by digging and turning the soil deeply. This will help the roots grow well. Adding rich Fafard Premium Natural & Organic Compost Blend and an organic granular fertilizer formulated for tomatoes, such as OMRI Listed Black Gold Tomato and Vegetable Fertilizer, will provide the nutrients your plants need.
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When planting, space the vines about 4 feet apart for good air circulation. A two to three-inch layer of mulch helps keep the soil moist and can prevent weeds from taking over. You can plant young plants deep, leaving only a couple of nodes and foliage above the ground. Be sure to gently remove the leaves from the stem parts covered with soil.
For indeterminate varieties, it’s essential to fit them with large tomato cages right away. This support helps the plants grow tall and healthy. Make sure to water your plants regularly to keep the soil moist but not wet. The days to harvest can vary, but most cherry tomatoes usually begin to bear fruit within 65 to 85 days after planting.
Each year, I like to add new cherry tomato varieties to my garden to expand my knowledge. This year’s experimental cultivar is Wild Boar Farm’s Cream Amethyst, which has a mild, sweet flavour and is a pure ivory colour with a purple blush. It may become a keeper in my garden or be just another common variant. Growing different varieties can be a gamble, but it’s always fun to choose from the top selections.
You can enjoy a fantastic harvest of cherry tomatoes with proper care and attention. They add not only flavour but also vibrant colours to your meals. Whether you are growing for snacking, salads, or cooking, nurturing these plants is incredibly satisfying. Just remember, with a little effort, you’ll never go wrong with growing cherry tomatoes in your garden!
FAQs
What is the most flavorful cherry tomato?
The Black Cherry tomato is often considered the most flavorful, known for its rich, complex, and sweet taste.
What is the best-tasting cherry?
Many people regard Sun Gold cherry tomatoes as the best tasting due to their sweetness and tangy flavour.
What tomato has the best flavour?
The Brandywine tomato is frequently cited as having the best flavour, particularly for its rich and sweet profile.
How to make cherry tomatoes sweeter?
To make cherry tomatoes sweeter, ensure they receive plenty of sunlight, maintain consistent watering, and consider using organic fertilizers to boost their growth and sweetness.
